The Life of Faith (Abune Shinoda)

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COPTICORTHODOX
PATRIARCHATE

EXPERIENCESINLIFE
BY
H.H.POPESHENOUDAIII
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Title
:ExperiencesinLife
Author
:H.H.PopeShinodaIII.
Translatedby
:Mrs.GylnisYounanLondon
Illustratedby
:SisterSawsan
Edition
:TheFirstNovember1990.
Typesetting
:J.C.Center
Press
:DarElTebaaElKawmia.
LegalDepositNo.:8793/1990
Revised
:COEPA1997
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H.H.PopeShenoudaIII,117thPopeof
AlexandriaandtheSeeofSt.Mark
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CONTENTS
Introduction

[1]AwiseObservation
[2]TheEyeandtheEyebrow
[3]TopswithoutSupports
[4]Advicetoadriver
[5]TheAppropriateTime
[6]Silence
[7]SideIssues
[8]EasyandDifficult
[9]Rejection
[10]MyEyesandMyEars
[11]ThedovereturnstotheArk
[12]FromtheInside
[13]AShatteredMirror
[14]While...
[15]OnlyOneEar
[16]Sunset
[17]WhichisBetter?
[18]TeamWork
[19]ThereareTwoRoadsBeforeUs
[20]WithYourFatherConfessor
[21]ProblemsorSolutions
[22]TheConceitedRight
[23]WhoareThosewhoareSuitable?
[24]IthasaWill
[25]Nothing!
[26]Participating
[27]ItisNotEnough
[28]CopingwithBeingHonoured
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[29]WhatHistoryRecords
[30]Frankness
[31]EveryGoliathhasaDavid
[32]TheExploitationofTolerance
[33]TakingAccountofReaction
[34]AttheMostCriticalStage
[35]When?AndWhen?
[36]SimplicityandWisdom
[37]ABeginningWithoutanEnd
[38]IntheNewYear
[39]PeoplesRespectforYou
[40]TheCelebrationPeriodfromEastertoWhitsun
[41]PreparingaPriesttogoOverseas
[42]WhethertoCancelorKeep
[43]Recommendations
[44]IntheNameofthePeople
[45]EvenattheHourofDeath!!

[46]ARumour!
[47]ACommonErrorinAnnouncmentsof
Bereavement
[48]TripstotheMonasteries
[49]Freedom
[50]PopularSongs
[51]VarietyandDifference
[52]YesterdayandTomorrow
[53]DealingWithProblems
[54]Whygoonatlength?!
[55]TheChaosoftheOrganizers
[56]RememberandForget
[57]TomorrowisBetterforYou
[58]UnconditionalJudgements
[59]Absolution,ForWhom?
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[60]IstheLeaderLed?
[61]TheWisdomofAbigail
[62]AlltheSins
[63]Pain
[64]Forgiveness,butnoSin!!
[65]PracticalInformation
[66]OrphanageorVocationalInstitution?
[67]WhatGodWillsorPermits
[68]TheDevilSaidtoGod
[69]WinningPeople
[70]FollowingThrough
[71]PeoplearetheStandstheyTake
[72]TheComplainingSinner
[73]TheSpiritoftheLaw
[74]FairShares!
[75]GodandtheProblem
[76]BlessingandanOrderlyApproach
[77]ForgettingtheGood(1)
[78]ForgettingtheGood(2)
[79]GettingintoDifficulties
[80]DoesThinkingHaveaPrice?
[81]ThePolicyofTransferringResponsibility
[82]BeingaPupil
[83]ASchoolforMarriage
[84]InSpiteof...
[85]Judas
[86]WhoisBlownbytheStorm?
[87]RepentanceorJustanAttempt
[88]FourKindsofDoingGoodandDoingHarm
[89]UnexpectedEvents

[90]AFamousPreacher
[91]FleeingfromSinandBeingFreedFromSin
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[92]IsSilenceaVirtue?
[93]WithintheChurch
[94]WhendoYouknowHim?
[95]Stages
[96]WhentheTapeRecorderisNotThere
[97]TiringConversations
[98]TheSkilledSpeaker
[99]NoisyBehaviour
[100]OneWayofLife
[101]IhadDoneWrong
[102]TeachingthePoorManaSkill
[103]WrongEstimations
[104]Mediators
[105]AReverseSituation
[106]TheRelativeTruth
[107]WaysofReprimanding
[108]WritingandtheConscience
[109]TheContagionofPsychologicalIllnesses
[110]TheLimitsofLeniency
[111]TheImportanceofEndurance
[112]Weldingbyoxygen
[113]ACarandaCart
[114]TheGiftofThinking
[115]TheirReligiosity?WearsThemOut!
[116]OnOneDay
[117]LearningandSubmitting
[118]JoiningonPaper
[119]RelativesandTithes
[120]AWorshipperGoesWrong!
[121]HeDoesntBenefit!
[122]ShouldITellHimOff?
[123]TheHandofGod
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[124]SaturdayandSunday
[125]SurroundedOnlybyFollowers
[126]TrueLove
[127]RightTiming
[128]HeWantstoGrumble
[129]TwoMeaningsoftheCross
[130]Force
[131]TheMeaningofSimplicity

[132]AChild!
[133]TwoServers
[134]CollectingExperiences
[135]Everybody...andtheLoner
[136]TheLaw:When?
[137]AnAnt
[138]TwoByTwo
[139]TranslatingFaithfully
[140]ThePriestandthePeople
[141]ProblemsandCrying
[142]Apology
[143]When?!andWhen?!
[144]ThePulpitoftheChurch
[145]UsedOnce
[146]EmotionalDecisions
[147]TodayandTomorrow
[148]Tribalism
[149]APyramidShape
[150]AftertheLoss
[151]TheSeedandtheFruit
[152]RightandWrong
[153]ASubstitutePunishment
[154]TheLimitsofObedience
[155]TooMuchExplaining
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[156]HeLivesOutsideHimself
[157]TheImportanceoftheIndividual
[158]ServingtheVillage
[159]BaptismandHolyChrismontheMawalid
[160]GodinWork
[161]Insistence!
[162]APieceofAdvice
[163]GiveTimeaChance
[164]SpecialTreatment
[165]EncouragingandNotForcing
[166]WisdominTime
[167]Passivity
[168]CoveringThingsUporSolvingThem
[169]BooksandNotebooks
[170]ForgivenessandTrust
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EXPERIENCESINLIFE
Introduction
Thisbookdiffersfromallmyperviousbooksinthatitis

composedofseparatepassageseachofwhichpresents
youwithaparticularexperience,ideaormeaningfulshort
story.Someofthemareverybriefwhileothersarelonger.
Althoughthisbookdoesnotpresentyouwithasinglesubject,
butratherdozensofsubjects,theyallrevolvearoundacentral
themewhichisthatofpracticallife.
Icannotdetermineaparticulardateforthisbook:someofthe
experiencesIhavewrittenaboutoccurredoverfortyyearsago,
beforeIbecameamonk,otherswhileIwasamonkorbishop
orsinceIhavebeenPatriarch,buttheyareallpracticalissues.
However,apersonsexperiencesinlifearecountless,soIhave
justmadeaselectionforyouinthisbook.Thereareothers
whichIprefertodescribeinabookaboutthepastorallife
becausetheyarespecificallyconcernedwiththat.Itstime
willcome,withtheLordswill.
Ipreferredtohavethisbookprintedatthissizesothatitwould
besmallenoughforyoutoputinyourpocketandtakewith
youwhereveryougo,andreadatanytime,evenifitisonlya
smallsection,atwhateverpageyouopenandwithoutfeeling
thatyouhavetokeeptoaparticularcontinuityofthoughts.
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Thereareotherexperiencesinlifewhicharenotsuitable
forabookthatisintendedforthegeneralpublic;theirtime
hasnotyetcome.
Iwillleaveyounowtothesereflectionsandlookforwardto
meetingyouagaininalatervolume,iftheLordsgoodgrace
permits.
PopeShenoudaIII
2222222
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[1]AwiseObservation
Apersonhadjusttakenoverofficeataseniorposition,andI
sawthathehadhungonthewallabovehisdeskasignwhich
said:
Otherswereherebeforemeandotherswillcomeafter
me.
[2]TheEyeandtheEyebrow
Someonesaidabouthimselfinahumblemanner,Theeyeis
notabovetheeyebrow,andsoIansweredhim:
Nevertheless,theeyeisofsomuchmoreimportancethat
youcannotcomparethetwo.Theeyeisthesourceofsight
andisofgreatusefulness,buttheeyebrowisonlyfor
decorationeventhoughitisabovetheeye.Ihavegivena

similarreplywhenithasbeensaidtomethatthecrownis
abovethehead.
[3]TopswithoutSupports
Oncetherehadbeenhighpeaksrisingforalongperiodoftime
abovebroadpopularsupports.However,theydidnotconcern
themselveswiththispopularsupportbutinfactraised
themselvesupaboveitinprideatwhattheyconsideredtheir
superiorposition,pastandfame.Thenalongcamesomeone
whowasabletowinthispopularsupportbecausehelovedthe
peopleandservedtheminhumility,andsothesupportswere
withdrawnfromunderthem.Yettheystayedwheretheywere,
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astopswithoutsupports:topsrisingupintheairbut
withoutsupports.
[4]Advicetoadriver
Isaidtoadriverofmycaroneday:"It'snotimportantthat
wegettherequicklybutthatwearrivesafely."
[5]TheAppropriateTime
Ifyouwantyourwordstohavetheirfulleffect,choosethe
appropriatetimetosaythem.Putbeforeyouthewordsofthe
wisemanwhosaid:"Awordfitlyspoken[is][like]applesof
goldInsettingsofsilver.(Prov25:11)
Ifthereisamatterwhichyouareconcernedabout,donot
speakaboutittoanyonewhoisbusyortired,orwhoneedsa
restorisnotinthemoodtotalk.Donotspeaktoanyone
aboutiteitherifheisannoyedorsadaboutsomething.
Speakwhentheearisreadytolistentoyourwords,and
morepreferablewhenitiseagertolistentoyou.An
exceptiontothisisawordofreprimand,likethatspokenby
JohntheBaptisttoHerod.Theimportantthingtokeepbefore
youisthatyousayyourwordwhenitfindsanearreadyto
listen.
[6]Silence
Sometimessilenceismoreeffectivethanwordsandmore
beneficialanduseful,orattheveryleastitmaybelessharmful
thantospeak...Insilencetheremaybewisdomandstrength,
theremaybenobilityanddignity.
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SometimeswekeepsilentinorderthatGodshouldspeak,
forthewordofGodismorepowerfulthananythingwe
mightwanttosay...HowbeautifularethewordsoftheBible,
"TheLordwillfightforyou,andyoushallholdyourpeace."
(Ex14:14)

OurLordJesusChristremainedsilentbeforePilate.Hedidnot
openHismouthordefendHimself.DuringHissilencePilate
said,"Ifindnoreasontocondemnthisrighteousman".
Silencecanbeprofitablesometimes,butitisnotafixedrule.
Thegoldenruleisthis,thatthepersonshouldspeakwhen
itisrighttospeakandkeepsilentwhenitisrighttokeep
silent.
WhenheissilentthenlethisheartspeakwithGodandaskHim
tospeakonhisbehalf...
[7]SideIssues
2
Theremaybeapersonwhospeakstoyouonsome
subjectorother,butwhocannotconcentrateonitandin
factdigressestonumerousrelatedissues.Youtrytogethim
tosticktothesubject,butyoucantbecausehejustkeepson
branchingoutintoendlesssideissues
2
Youmayenterintoadiscussiononapointofdoctrine
withsomeone,buthedepartsfromittootherpoints.
Wheneveryoureplytoonehedigressestoanother,anditisas
ifyouareinfrontofavastopenforumofdiscussionandout
engagedindiscussingadefinitepoint!
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2
Apersonmaysitdownwithyoutotellyouoff
concerningsomeproblembetweenyou,butwhilstdoingso
hetouchesonsideissueswhichmaketheoriginalproblem
looksmall.Andtheseadditionalcriticismsleavepaininthe
soulwhichinturnneedstobesetatrest!
Peopleneedtoconcentrateonwhattheyaresaying,andnotgo
ramblingfreelyonminorissues.Thesamealsoappliesto
writing,makingreportsandpreaching...
2
Quiteoftenpeoplegathertogethertotalkwithout
havingafixedtopicfortheirconversation,sotheirtalking
tendstobejusthaphazard,onsideissuesorendless
secondarymatterswhicharenotconnected...!
[8]EasyandDifficult
Everybodycanshout,canbeabusiveandbelittleothersandbe
harshinhisjudgementsofpeople.Thisissomethingeasy
whicheveryonecando.Itdoesnotproveanyparticular
strength...Butthehardthingisforthepersontorestrainhis
tongueandcontrolhisfeelingsandnerves,andbewell
manneredchoosinghiswordswithcare,whateverhefeels.
Soheretheonewhoisinsultedbutincommandofhimself,

isactuallystrongerthantheonewhoisabusinghimwho
haslostcontrolofhisnerves.
Talkingaboutidealsiseasy,anyonecandoit.Likewise,
admiringhighidealsissomethingwehearaboutfrom
everybody.
Butlivingwithsuchidealsisnotpossibleforall,noteven
forthosewhoarecalledtoitandwhoencourageothersto
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it.Highidealsrequireapureheart,awillanddeterminationin
theindividualtoworkhardfortheirsakeandsufferinorderto
achievethem.whenapersonisraisedonthecrossbecauseof
hisideals,thenheisbeingatrueidealist.
[9]Rejection...!
Therearepeoplewhorejectsomethingmanytimesandthus
misstheiropportunity.Theythenyearnforwhattheyhave
previouslyrejectedbutdonotfindit!Itmaybethattheir
previousrejectionwasbecauseofanemotionalimpulsewhich
lackeddepthandthewisdomofcalmconsideration.
Therearealotofpeoplewhoreallyneedtothinklongandhard
beforetheyrejectsomething.Rejection,whenitismadefroma
soundconviction,isneverfollowedbyregretoryearningfor
whatmighthavebeen...
[10]MyEyesandMyEars
Theywouldcometomesaying,Suchandsuchajobhasbeen
completelyfinishedanddonethoroughly.AsIthankedthemI
wouldsmileatthemandsayjokingly,
Iamusedtobelievingmyeyesmorethanmyears.Then
Iwouldgoandseehowitwasformyself...
[11]ThedovereturnstotheArk
WhenIleftthebishopricandreturnedtomydeserthomeatthe
beginningofJanuary1964,IfoundthemonkAntoniusatthe
doorandhesaidtome,Iknewthatyouwouldreturn,ashe
huggedmetightlysothatwebecameone.
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AtthatpointIrememberedthatSaintArsaniustheRecluse,
whenhereturnedtothedesertofShehit,hadsaidtohispupils,
TheyarereadytosayaboutArsaniuswhatwassaidinthe
storyoftheFlood,Butthedovefoundnorestingplacefor
thesoleofherfoot,andshereturnedintotheark(Gen.
8:9)
[12]FromtheInside
Manypreachersspeakaboutpersonalappearanceanddecorum
andstresstheimportanceofkeepingadignifiedouter

appearance,whiletheimportantthingisreallythepurityofthe
heart.foriftheloveofGodentersintotheheart,alltracesof
immodestydisappearautomaticallywithouttheneedfor
preaching.Correctingtheinsideisthefoundation.
Yetwetellyoungmenoffforthelengthoftheirhair,and
wetellthegirlsofffortheirclothesandlongfingernails,
andweforgettheheart!
Ouryoungpeopleneedtoknowwhatstrengthmeans,andwhat
beautyis,inaspiritualway...Likewise,theyoughttoknowthe
meaningofrealfreedom;isitaninternalfreedomfromsin,oris
itanindifferenceornotcaring?!
PerhapsthischangeofoutlookiswhattheApostlePaul
meantbyhiswords:butbetransformedbytherenewingof
yourmind,(Rom12:2).Wewantagenerationandpeople
whojudgevaluesbyspiritualstandardswhichtheyare
convincedaretrue.Thenalltheirenergiescanbedirected
towardstheGood.
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Theoutwardappearanceisasignofsomethinginthe
heart,anditsgoodnessoritscorrectionwillcomeabout
throughinnerconvictionnotthroughcensureandforce.
Soletusbeginwiththeinsidethen!
[13]AShatteredMirror
HewasapersonIhadknownforsometime,andallhislifehe
hadbeenfrankandtruthful.Itwasnothisnaturetopraiseor
flatteranyonewhenitwasnotdue.HecametomeetmeandI
askedhowhewas,andhesaidtome:
MyfaultisthatIamamirrorwhichofferstoeveryonewho
facesit,atruepictureofhimself,andpeople,verysadly,donot
liketoseetheirrealface.
Theywantedmetobenotamirror,butmakeup,tomake
themlookbetter.
SinceIamnotlikethat,theyhaveshatteredme.BecauseI
spoketruthfullyandfranklytothem,theyruinedmyname
describingmeintheworstpossibleways.SohereIamnow:I
havebecomeashatteredmirror.
ThenIsaidtohim:Didyoufeelpsychologicallydrainedwhen
theywentagainstyou,anddidyouchangeyourmanner?He
lookedatmedeeply,thensaid:TodayIfoundsomethingthat
consoledme.Ihaveafriendwhoissickwithahighfever,and
hisfamilywanteverydaytoseehistemperaturedecrease,butit
doesnt.Andtoday,whenIvisitedhim,hisbrotherwantedto
takehistemperature,butwhenhereadthethermometerhe
foundtheoppositeofwhathewantedtosee.Thethermometer
wasinfactindicatingariseintemperature.Soheflaredupin

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angerandtookthethermometerinhistemper,andhititagainst
thewallandsmashedit.
Thispoorthermometer,sotruthfulandhonest,whathadit
donewrong?!
Itwasjustlikemeashatteredmirror!
[14]While...
Itwasin1948thatIhadreadanimportantvolumewhich
discussedtheologicalsubjectsinawaythatdemandedgreat
attentionofonesthoughtsanddeepconcentration.After
readingitIhadwrittenthissentenceonthebook:
Whilethetheologiansaresearchingtheseabstruse
matters,manysimplesoulswillhaveslippedintothe
KingdomofGod...
[15]OnlyOneEar
Godhasfittedyouwithtwoears,anditisasifeachofthem
isasymbol;eachhasitsorientation.Withoneyouhear
oneopinion,andwiththeotheryouhearanother,orthe
oppositeopinion.
Yourmindexistsbetweenthetwoearsweighingupeachof
thetwoviews.
Youdonothaveonlyoneear,otherwiseyoumightbeswayed
bysomepeopleinthewrongdirection.Nordoyoubelieveall
thewordsyourearhearsuntilithasheardthereplytothese
words.
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Withonlyoneearyoumightstrayfarfromthetruthorbe
deceivedbyhalftruth.
Withonlyoneearyoucouldnotbejust,youmightwrongsome
peopleandhaveabadrelationshipwithotherswithoutgood
reason.Sowheneverapersonwhispersinyourear,sayto
yourself,Whereismyotherear?
[16]Sunset
Iusedtobeinthehabitoftakingawalkinthedesertatsunset.
WheneverIsawthesunonthehorizongoingdowntoset,I
wouldsaytomyselfatthetimeofthesunset:
Itisnotthesunwhichhashiddenitsfacefromtheearth,
buttheearthwhichhasturneditsbackonthesun.
[17]WhichisBetter?
Iobservedtwodistincttypesamongthemonksofthe
monasteries:onewastheworshippingtype,theotherthe
worldlytype.
Onewouldwithdrawhimselffromeverythinginordertobe
boundtotheOne,while...

Theotherwouldsurroundhimselfwithallthepeople,
explainingandinterpreting.
Eachofthesetwotypeshaditsvirtuesandeachitsadmirers
andfollowers.Adebateamongthegroupbegantogoroundas
towhichofthemwasbetter:
Theworshippingoneortheworldlyone.
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[18]TeamWork
Thereisatypeofpersonwhocanbeverysuccessfulaslong
asheisworkingonhisownindividually,butwhofails
completelyifheworksasamemberofagroup.Itmightbe
thathesuddenlysplitsofffromthemorlosestheabilityto
cooperatewiththem.Heclingstightlytohisviewsand
criticisesorattackstheirs,pointingouttothemtheirmistakes,
whiletheypointouthismistakestohim,whichmakesit
impossibleforthemtocontinueworkingtogether!
Thisisoneoftheplaguesofoursociety...
Weneedtotrainourchildrenforteamwork,ortoworkwitha
groupincooperatingandworkinginharmonytoachievea
commongoaloutofloveandselfdenial.
Also,withinthechurch,weshouldtrainthedeaconstosing
togetherasagrouporchoir,withonevoice.Singingasolois
easy,anyonecandothat.
[19]ThereareTwoRoadsBeforeUs
Isaidtosomebishopsonthedayoftheirconsecration:Beforeusare
tworoads,thereisntathird.
Eitherwelabourandthepeoplefindrest,
Orwefindrestandthepeoplelabour.
Ihaveinvitedyou,throughthisconsecration,tolabour.Havefaith
thatthroughyourhardworkyourheartswillfindrestandthe
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ministrywillberefreshed.Irepeatedthesesamewordsatthe
consecrationofsomeofourpriests.
[20]WithYourFatherConfessor
Donotpresenthimwithyourdecisions,butwithquestions...
Donotsimplyaskhimtoagreewithsomethingyouhave
alreadymadeupyourmindaboutandareresolvedon.But
ratheraskhimforadvice,hisopinionandinformation.
[21]ProblemsorSolutions
Howmanyarethosewhobringmetheirproblems,And
howfewthosewhobringmesolutions?!
Ifonlythosewhobringproblemswouldbringwiththem
suggestionsfortheirsolution,providedthattheyarepractical

andfeasiblesolutions!
[22]TheConceitedRight
OnoneofthoseoccasionswhenTheRightwaspridingitself
overTheWrongandcondemningitharshlyandscorningit,
whileTheWrongbowedbeforehimwithacontriteheart,I
lookedatthemdeeplyandsaid:
Iknow,DearLord,thattheonewhoiswrongbut
contrite,isbetterbyfarthantheonewhoisintherightbut
prideshimselfonit..
ForthisWrong,throughhiscontrition,isontheroadtoYou
tobecomeaRight,andthatRight,throughhisconceit,is
justtakinghimselffarawayfromYouandbecominga
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Wrong.AndIrecalledthestoryofthePhariseeandthetax
collector.(Luke18)
[23]WhoareThosewhoareSuitable?
SometimesGodhassentusserverswhoweresuitabletobe
consecratedintothevariousdegreesofthepriesthoodfor
whichwethankHim.
Buttherehavebeenmanyothertimeswhenwehavebeenfaced
witharepeatedproblem,whichisparticularlysoinrelationto
ourministersabroad,whichwasthat:
Thosewhoaresuitedtobecomeministers,donotwantto,
Andthosewhodoarenotsuitable.
[24]IthasaWill
Ahugechunkofwoodcannotresisttheflood,butisswept
alongbyitwhereveritgoes.
Butasmallfishcanresistthecurrentandisabletogowhereit
wantstogo.
Thatisbecauseithaslifeandhasawill.
[25]Nothing!
Ihavenoticedatypeofpersonwhotalksalotbutwhosays
nothing.BywhichImeanhiswordsareofnobenefit.
Thesignificanceofhiswordsdoesnotcorrespondatallto
theirvolume.
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Hefindsnothingtosaysohesaysanything,thenelaboratesand
spendsalongtimetalking.Yettheresultofhisspeechis
nothing,andhislistenerisforcedtowastehistimelisteningto
thisnothing...
Evenmoresurprisingthanthisisthatheasksforanother
appointmentinordertofinishofftellingyouthisnothing
withevenmorenothingofthesamesort!!

Ifonlyeverybodywouldweighhiswordsbeforespeakingand
considerwhethertheyareworththetimeittakestosaythem
andwhethertheywillbeusefulandwhethertheydeservetobe
heard?
Heshouldalsoconsiderhowmuchhislistenercanputup
with,bywatchinghisexpressiontoseeifhereallywantsto
hear...
Ifhefeelsthatthelistenerwantstobeexcusedthenheshould
lethimgoinpeace.
[26]Participating
Thisparticularbrotherwouldtrytoshareinwhateverwewere
making.Hiswayofparticipating,though,waswithwords,not
actions.
Hewouldcontributecriticism,somethingnotreallyvery
constructive,thoughwetriedtoturnittoourbenefitandwould
thankhimforhisparticipationandfornotjuststandingby
passively!
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[27]ItisNotEnough
Ifyouwanttomakesomeoneapartnerinapieceofwork,itis
notenoughthatheiskeen,orthatheagreeswithyouonthe
goal,butitisessentialthatheagreesalsoonthemeansand
methodofachievingit...
Yourpartnerinworkmightdoyouharmifhismethodis
wrong,orifhiswayofdealingconflictswithyours,orifhis
measuresarecauseforobjection...
TakeservingtheChurchasanexample:everyoneagreesonthe
importanceoftheministryandisenthusiasticforit,buttheydo
notallserveinthesameway.
Butasforyou,servealongwithanyonewithwhomyourspirit
feelsintune,andwhosemethodharmoniseswithyours.
Otherwisehismistakeswillbeatyourexpenseandyouwillfind
yourself,withoutintendingit,sharingwithhiminbeing
responsibleforeverymistake.
Itisafactthatoneoftheconditionsofcomradeshipis
mutualagreement...
[28]CopingwithBeingHonoured
SaintAntoniustheGreatsaid:Manypeoplecanendure
beinginsulted,buttheycannotbeartobehonoured.Forto
beabletoendurebeinghonouredisharderthantoputup
withinsults..
Beinghonouredmightpushsomepeopletowardspridesothat
theyfeelsuperiortoothersorignorethem,ormistreatthem.It
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maymakethemchangetheirsurroundings,friendsandwayof
life.Itmightinducethemtobecomeconceitedandtalk
arrogantlywithpeople...
Allthisgoestoshowthattheyhavenotbeenabletocopewith
beinghonouredsinceithaschangedtheircharacterand
behaviourtowardsothers.Asthepoetsaid,Whenmyfriends
familybecomesarichfamily,IcanbesurethatIhavelostmy
friend.
Asforthepersonwhoisinwardlystrong,orthepersonwho
isashumbleastheVirginMary,thenbeinghonoured
cannotchangehim.
Whateverpositionhegains,whateverwealthortitles,poweror
knowledge,andhowevermuchthepeoplepraisehim,he
remainsthesame...
Itisawonderhowinspiteofallthishedoesnotlosehis
simplicityandhumilityorhisgoodrelationshipwithpeopleand
doesnotabandonhisformerfriendsorseekanewenvironment
whichheconsidersmoreinkeepingwithhisnewdignity...!
[29]WhatHistoryRecords
Historydoesnotrecordeverything...
Itonlysetsdowntheimportantmattersandrecordsthe
actionsofthegreat...
Thushistorypassesoverthousandsofactivitiesandactions,
payingnoattentiontothemasiftheyneverhappened,simply
becausetheywerenotworthrecording...Theworldforgets
themafterawhile;theywerejustminormatters!
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Asfortheimportantactionthatenduresforgenerations,history
cannotforgetitalongwithallthecountlesspersonalitiesand
eventswhichitlosestrackof...
Andwhataboutyou?Isyourworkasimportantasthis?
Idonotjustmeanimportantenoughforhistorytorecord,
butimportantenoughtoberecordedintheBookofLife...
[30]Frankness
YouwanttobesincereindefendingtheTruth.
Butyourfranknessoftenhurtspeople,theybecomeupsetand
takeastandagainstyou...
Takeagoodlookatyourself.Withhowmanypeoplehave
youemployedthishurtfulfrankmanneranddonealotof
damagefornoreason?!Whatismore,youhavenotwon
theirsoulsfortheLordeither.
Yououghttohavespokengentlyandwisely,withconsideration
forthefeelingsofothers,asourLordspoketotheSamaritan
woman,sothathewonhersoulwithouthurtingherfeelings

(John4).
IfGodweretosendanangeltospeaktoeveryoneabouthis
actions,thehiddenonesandthosethatareplaintosee,
couldanyonebearit?
WethankGodthatHedoesnotusethismethod,thishurtful
frankness,withus,outofHisgreatloveandkindnessandHis
sympathyforpeoplesfeelings
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[31]EveryGoliathhasaDavid
Donotbeafraidatthespreadorapparentvictoryofsomething
thatisfalseoruntrue...
Suchthingswillinevitablybedefeatedifmadetostandbefore
theTruth,howeverlongittakes.
EveryGoliathhasaDavidwaitingtoconquerhiminthename
oftheLordofHosts...
[32]TheExploitationofTolerance
Anyonewhowishes,onwhateverlevelofsin,towipeitall
awayandbedonewiththematter,thusescapingany
punishmentandavoidingmakinganyreparation,simplyby
admitting,Ihavemadeamistake,isquitewrong!
Someofthosewhoworkingovernmentofficesbecome
extremelystrictandruleboundintheiroutlook,becausethere,
foreverycallingtoaccounttheremustbeapenalty.
ButintheChurchyoustillhavetohaveorderand
discipline,otherwisetherewouldbechaos,indifference,lots
ofmistakesanddiversificationsjustbecausemenofGod
aresupposedtobetolerant.
Itdoesnotmeanthereshouldbenodisciplineandorder.It
showsawrongunderstandingofthetermtolerance,and
showsthatthereisnotcompletefaithinthework,orinserving
theChurchifitistakentomeanthatonedoesnotkeepto
appointmentsorworksystematicallyandwiththoroughness.If
somepeoplearepunishedfortheirmistakes,manywillbecome
resentfulandbemisled!!Itseemsasifpunishmentinitselfis
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somethingwrongorharsh.TheBibleneverthelessmentionsa
goodmanypunishmentsfromthetimeofAdamandCain,tothe
FloodandSodomandQorah,DathanandAbiram.
GodpunishedElithepriestbecausehedidnotcorrecthissons.
AndintheNewTestamenttherewasAnaniasandSaphira,Bar
JesusandthesinnerofCorinth.
[33]TakingAccountofReaction
Therearepeoplewhobehavewithouttakingaccountof
possiblereactionstotheirdeeds;whethertheyarelikelytohave

aneffectonothersorwhatwouldbetheothersbehaviourin
regardtothem.
Thechessplayerwhodoesnotmoveapiecewithout
calculatingwhathisopponentspositionislikelytobeasa
resultofit,iswiserthanthesepeople.
[34]AttheMostCriticalStage
Therearesomepeoplewhotrytotreattheirillnesses
themselvesinwhateverway!Theyonlyresorttoadoctorwhen
thepatienthasreachedthemostcriticalstage!
Soitisintheministry.Problemssometimesoccurandthose
responsibleintheministrysay:Itsnotrightforustobother
PopeShenoudawithourtroublesometales.Andifoneof
themwantstotellmeabouttheproblemtheypreventhimand
sayheislettingthemdownontheassumptionthathewill
exposethemall.
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31
Sotheproblemcontinuesanddoesnotreachmeuntilithas
becomeverycomplicatedindeedandcannolongerbesolved
easily.ThenwhenItellthemoffforthattheysay:Wejust
didntwanttobotheryou...!!
[35]When?AndWhen
Thewisepersonknowshowtobehaveandknowswhentotake
aparticulardecision.
Wheniskindnesstherightthingandwhenisfirmness?
Whenisitrighttotakeonestimeandwhenmustonebequick?
Whenisitrighttokeepsilentandwhenisitrighttospeak?
Itiswisdomwhichactivatestheappropriatebehaviourat
theappropriatetime,andthatisbecauseinmostcasesitisthe
particularoccasionwhichdeterminesthesuitabilityofthe
behaviour.
[36]SimplicityandWisdom
Simplicityofbehaviourisnotthesameassimplemindedness.
Itdoesnotmeanembarkingonthingswithoutthinkingor
inquiring,andthissimplicitydoesnotconflictwithwisdom.
TheLordJesusChristsaid:Besimple...andwise.(Matt.
6..22)
Howthendowereconcilethetwo?Whatisthedefinitionof
simplicity?Itellyouinallhonesty,
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Simplicitymeansnotbeingcomplicatedanddifficult.It
doesnotmeannotthinking.
Thebibleteachesusaboutwisesimplicityandsimplewisdom.
[37]ABeginningWithoutanEnd
Wemightfixanappointmenttomeetsomepeople.Weknow

whenitwillbeginbutwedonotknowwhenitwillend,and
perhapswecannotcontrolwhenitwillend.
Thevisitorsmayshownoconcernthattheremightbe
appointmentsfixedforothersafterthem,andsotheymight
decidetostayalongtimeandallpoliteattemptstobringthe
visittoanendwillfail.
Perhapsthisremindsmeofwhatoneofthemenofletterssaid
tohisguestswhowereofthistype,whenhejokedwiththem:
Feelfreeandeasy,makeyourselvescomfortablelikeoneof
thefamily.Butnotsocomfortablethatyouforgettogo!
[38]IntheNewYear
Isitjustanewyearaccordingtothecalendar,orisitreallya
newyearinyourlife?Howcanitbeanewyearifyouenterit
withthesamehabits,samecharacterandsamefaultswithout
changinganythingwithinyourself,justlettingyourpersonality
becomefrozeninitsparticularways?!
Ifonlyyouwouldmoveduringthisnewyearandmake
evenonepracticalsteptowardsabetterwayofliving...
InthenewyeardonotjustpresenttoGodyourvows,your
promisesandpledges,fortheseareabovethelevelofyourwill
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33
andstrength,butgatherupallyourdesiresandpresentthemto
Godasaprayer,acknowledgingyourweakness,anddonot
makeyourpromisesasifyouarerelyingonyourownability
InsteadofpromisingtoGodthatyouwillchangeyourself
forthebetter,takefromHimapromisethatHewillchange
youforthebetter...
[39]PeoplesRespectforYou
Donotdemandthatpeoplerespectyou,...butleavethemto
feelrespectforyouoftheirownaccordbecausetheyfindin
youqualitieswhichcompeltheirrespect.
Sodonotfindfaultwithanotherpersonifhehasnotshown
yourespect.Onthecontrary,itwouldbebettertofindfault
withyourself,andconsiderthatyouhaveactedinawaythat
hasdiminishedotherpeoplesrespectforyou.
Besurethatyouknowthatrespectisonethingbutfearis
somethingelse.
Peoplemayfearyouonaccountofyourpositionorpoweror
strength,butthisdoesnotmeanthattheyrespectyou.
Respectisaninnerfeelingofreverenceinpraiseofcertain
exaltedqualitiesorhumaneorspiritualvalues.
[40]

TheCelebrationPeriodfromEasterto
Whitsun
NotfastingduringthefiftydaysfromEastertoWhitsunis

onething.
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34
Buteatingwithoutrestraintissomethingelse...
Sincethesefiftydaysareacelebrationperiod,neitherfasting
normatanias(prostrationsinprayer)areallowed,butthat
doesnotmeanthatapersonshouldlosehisselfcontrol,
otherwisewhenheeats,whetheritisatanappropriatetimeto
eatornot,itwillbeinsuchawaythatheharmshimself
spirituallyandphysicallyandlosesthespiritualbenefitsofthe
LentenfastandtheHolyWeek...
TheEastercelebrationsarefirstandforemostspiritual
celebrations,anditisforthebodytojoininthejoysofthe
spiritbutnottaketheopportunitytobelax...
[41]PreparingaPriesttogoOverseas
Preparingapriestforlifeabroad,outsideEgypt,isnotaneasy
matter.Noteveryoneissuitedtoit,whetheritisbecauseof
histypeofspirituality,orhisgifts,orproficiencyintheforeign
languageorsocialskills.
Ifyoufindapersonwhoissuitable,hemaynotfeelitisthe
rightthingforhim.
Andifhedoesfinditsuitshim,thenhiswifemightnotagreeto
goandliveabroad.
Andevenifbothheandhiswifeagreetoitthenthechurch
whereheserves,andhispeoplewholovehimmaynotagree.
Iftherightpersonisfound,andagreementconcludedonall
sides,eventhoughthismayonlybeafteralotofeffortand
persuasion,thereremainsbeforeusanotherproblemwhichis,
howtofillthegapthathewillleaveintheChurchathome.
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35
Thisrequiresarepeatofthestory:thesuitablepersonmustfirst
agree,andhiswifemustagree,toacceptthepriesthood,then
theChruchmustapprovehimandrecommendhim.
[42]WhethertoCancelorKeep
WhenItookupmyresponsibilities,somepeoplesuggestedthat
Iabolishtheunspiritualelements,theentertainmentsanderrors
thathadenteredtheMawalid(SaintsDays).TheSaints
festivalsatthattimewerecalledtheMawalidwhichwasnota
correctname.
Yetothersgavemeaviewthatwasquitetheoppositeofthat,
whichwasthat:
ThefestivalsoftheSaintspresentedtheopportunityfor
populargatherings,whichcouldbepurifiedandusedfor
spiritualguidanceandforleadingpeopletowhatisright

andgood.
Ithencarriedthroughthissecondsuggestionandwasableto
correctanydistortionintheseanniversariessothattheybecame
spiritualoccasionswithverybeneficialprogrammesdrawnup
forthemwithhymnsingingandchanting,sermons,recordings,
religiousfilmsandcompetitions,besidesservicesand
Communion.Thustheyweretransformedintoablessing
throughbeingkeptandnotcancelled.
[43]Recommendations
AtthebeginningofmypastoralcareerIusedtoreceive
recommendationssignedbymanyaskingfortheordinationof
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36
variouspeopleaspriestsortheconsecrationofamonkas
bishop.
ButIdidnottrusttheserecommendationsatall:
Somepeoplesignthemasakindofflatterytotheotherperson,
otherssignoutofignoranceorfearorembarrassmentbefore
thosewhopresentthemorhavethempresentedontheirbehalf.
Somepeoplesignthesepetitionswithoutcaringwhetherthey
signthisoneorthatoneorperhapssomethingquitethe
opposite...Somemightsignnotonlyforthemselves,buton
behalfofotherstoo,fortheirchildren,friendsorrelatives,
claimingthattheywereofthesameopinionasthemselves,
whentheseothersmighthavehadquiteadifferentview..!
Perhapstheserecommendationsrepresentedtheviewofone
personalone,whohadwrittenthemupandthencollectedthe
signaturesofallthosewhopassedhimby,whosignedjustto
followhim.
ThatwaswhyIwouldseektodiscovertheopinionofthe
peoplebymeetingthemdirectly.
EitherIwouldgotothemortheywouldcometome.Iusedto
distributepiecesofpapertothemonwhicheachcouldwrite
whathelikedwithoutanyoneelsereadinghisview.Iusedto
benefitverygreatlyfromtheinformationtheygaveandIwould
discussthingsquitefranklywiththem...
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37
[44]IntheNameofthePeople
IoftenusedtoreceiveatelegramaboutsomeChurchmatteror
otherinwhichitsauthorwouldtrytogiveweightand
importancetoamatterbysayingthatitwasinthenameofthe
peopleofsuchandsuchachurch,ormakingitsignedbythe
peopleofsuchandsuchachurch.
Sometimesitscontentsexpressedonlyhispersonalviewandthe
peoplereallyhadhadnothingtodowithwhatitsaid...

Hemightbelievethataslongasheisconvincedon
something,everyoneelsemustinevitablybeconvincedonit
too!Hisviewisthetruthandeveryonemustbebehindthis
truth!
Oneofthemmightgotothetelegraphofficeandsendalong
collectionoftelegramsinpracticallythesameform,andsigned
byagreatmanynames.Heavenonlyknowswhetherthepeople
namedknewofallthis.Thematterneedstobestudied
actually...
[45]EvenattheHourofDeath!!
Therewasaverydevoutwomanwhowasillwithcancer.She
turnedtoGodwithprayers,andCommunionandfastswere
heldforher.Thecancerenteredaverycriticalstageandwhen
herfinalhourapproachedshecalledforme.
AtthattimeIwasabishop,andwasabletovisitpeoplemore
thanIcannow,soIwenttoherandstoodbesideherbed
listeningtohercomplaints.
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38
Shetoldme,Iamverysadbecausemanydoubtsaregoing
roundinmythoughtsaboutwhetherprayer,fastingand
Communionareofanyvalue,andwhereisGodsmercy
andresponse?!
SooftenIhaveprayedforthesethoughtstoleavemebutthey
persistandIgetanxiousandsay,ShallIlosemylifenow,and
losemychanceofeternallifetoo,becauseofthesedoubts?...
SoIsaidtoher,Donotbeanxious,fortheyarenotyour
thoughts.
TheyarejustdoubtswhichtheDevilcastsintoyourmind.
Yourprayersprovethatyoudonotacceptthemandthatthese
thoughtsarenotfromyou.Godwillnotallowagoodwoman
likeyoutosufferhereandineternityaswell.Youarelike
Lazaruswhoreceivedhisfullshareofmisfortunesonearth,but
wasdeemedworthytogotothearmsofAbrahamonhisway
toahappyeternitywithGod...
IfGodwantstotakeyoutoHim,thisisnotagainstHis
mercynoragainstprayer,foreternityisadelightwhichthe
Saintseagerlydesire.
ThenIreadanabsolutionforherandsherelaxedanddeparted,
totheamazementofthedevilswhofighttheSaintsevenatthe
hourofdeath!!
[46]ARumour!
Therearepeoplewhowhentheywanttoachieveaparticular
aimstartaveryprovocativerumouragainstthisaimandspread
it,byallways,toarousethepeopleandcausealotof
disturbanceandchaos.

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39
Andinthemidstofthisdisturbance,theytrytoachievetheir
aim!
Butthestrangethingisthattheyfindmanypeopleactually
believetheserumours!

[47]AcommonErrorinAnnouncements

of
Bereavement
Manypeoplewhentheyarespeakingaboutalovedoneof
theirswhohasdepartedthislife,refertohimasthelostone.
Theywouldsayforexample:Weannouncethedeathofour
dearlostsoandso!!
Yetthosewhohaveleftourworldarenotlost,norarethey
dead,becausetheyarealiveinheaven.Theyhaveonlymoved
fromoneworldtoanother.
Itisbettertousetheexpressiondeardepartedthanthe
lostone.
Somealsosay,Soandsohasmovedontoheavenlyglories,
butthisisamistakefromthetheologicalpointofview,because
theheavenlygloriesdonotcomeuntilaftertheresurrectionand
theReckoningontheLastDay.(Matt.25:3146)
Abetterexpressionforustouseinsteadofsayinghehas
gonetoheavenlyglories,isthathehasgonetothelandof
thelivingortotheParadiseoftheBlessedortothe
CongregationofSaints.
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40
Orwecouldsay,Hehaspassedfromourtransitoryworldto
theeternalworld,orsuchexpressionsasthesewhicharequite
removedfromtheheavenlyglories.
[48]TripstotheMonasteries
Manypeoplewhentheygoonatriptospendadayormoreat
oneofthedistantmonasteriessuchastheMonasteryofSaint
AntoniusortheMonasteryofSaintPaul,thinkonlyabout
themselves...Theremaybemorethanonebusloadofthem,it
mightbeatripformorethanonehundredpeople,andthere
mightbehundredsofvisitorsarrivinginotherpartiesonthe
sameday!
Thequietofthemonasteryturnsintoadin,andthe
problemarisesastohowtoaccommodatethesehundredsof
menandwomeninthemonasteryandhowtoprovidethem
withwhattheyneedtobecomfortable.
Themonkslosetheirfreedomandfeelthattheyhavenotleft
theworldaslongastheWorldstrivesafterthem.Atthesame

time,themembersofthetripscannotreapanyspiritualbenefits
inthemidstofallthisnoiseandcrowding.Thosewho
supervisesuchtripsareunabletokeepcontrolduringthesekind
ofexcursions,andsounfortunatelyneitherthemonksnortheir
visitorsderiveanybenefitfromthem.
Ifthemonasteryrefusestoadmittheseparties,theirmembers
getannoyedandcomplainsaying,Havewecomeallthislong
distanceforyoutoturnusaway?Andoutinthisdeserted
region,withthesunabouttoset,howcanwereturn?This
putsthemonasteryinanembarrassingsituation!Thisis
especiallysobecausethesepeoplehavenotcomewithprior
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41
permission,norhavetheygiventhemonasterytheopportunity
toarrangeforthesepartiestobeadmitted.
Anexcursiontoamonasteryisanexcursionwhichhasa
spiritualpurpose,andoughttobedifferentfromavisitto
thePyramidsoramuseum.
Toobtainspiritualbenefitfromvisitingthemonasteries,one
shouldgoindividuallyorinasmallgroup(nomorethantenfor
example),andthepartyshouldfollowastrictorderanda
programmeofactivitiesdesignedforthebenefitofitsmembers.
Itshouldalsobemadewithprioragreementfromthemonastery
andwithspecialpermissionfromthemonks,soasnottocause
themembarrassmentbyasuddenarrival.
Alsothepeaceandspiritualconcernsofthemonksshouldbe
takenintoconsideration,fortheyaretheonesforwhomthe
monasterywasbuilt.Itistheywhohavelefttheworldandall
thatisinitinsearchofthepeacewhichwillhelpthemtofeel
unity,tocontemplateanddevotethemselvestoworship.
[49]Freedom
Manyyoungpeopleusedtobeverysensitiveabouttheir
personalfreedomandwouldsay,whentheyreachedtheageof
maturity,orevenbefore,thattheyoughttoenjoytheirfull
freedomwithoutrestrictionsandthusdowhattheyliked...
Butwewouldreplytothemthatfreedomhastwobasic
conditions:thatapersonexercisehisfreedominsuchaway
that:
1.Hedoesnotencroachonthefreedomsorrightsor
others,and
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42
2.Hedoesnotoffendagainstthepublicorderorthe
moralsordisturbthevaluesandobservedcustoms.
Wewouldsaythatthesetwoconditionsdonotposea
restrictiontothefreeindividual,butratheramounttoa

protectionforhiscoursethroughlife,likethebanksofa
riverprotectingitswater.
Thetwobanksdonotposearestrictionwhichlimitsthe
freedomoftheriverbutinfactprotectitswaterfromflooding
outoveritssides.Ifitwerenotforthemtheriverwouldturn
intoaquagmire...
[50]PopularSongs
Sometimespeoplecomposeahymnusingthesametuneasa
popularsong.
Theyimaginethataslongasthewordsarehealthy,itdoesnot
muchmatteraboutthemusic!!However,musicinitselfhasan
effectupontheemotionswhichisnolessthantheeffectofthe
wordscomposedtoit.
So,thewordsofspiritualsongsshouldonlybesettospiritual
musicandmelodieswhicharesuitedtothem.
[51]VarietyandDifference
Manypeopleoverdotheuseoftheworddifferencewhenitis
notsomuchadifferencewhichexists,butratheravariety!
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43
Forexampletheysay,Differentcolours,whenthecolours
arenotsomuchdifferentasvaried;andtheremaybea
beautyintheirvariety.
Theymightsayforexample,Differentfood,differentbirds,
differenttastesanddifferentsciences,andtheremaynotbea
differencebetweenallthesethingssomuchasavariety.
Ifweoverusetheworddifferenceanditsderivatives,we
maywellbeplantinginourmindsaparticular
discriminatoryattitude,whenquiteprobablytheword
varietyanditsderivativeswouldbemoresuitable!
[52]YesterdayandTomorrow
Thedaysofourlivespassinsuchanamazinglyquick
successionthatonecanhardlydistinguishbetweenyesterday,
todayandtomorrow.ThisissomuchsothatIoncewrotein
mydiarythesetwolinesofthepoem:
Whatismylifebutafleetingyesterday
onlyayesterday,howeverlongithasbeen
Mytodayisyesterdayintomorrow
andmytomorrowbecomesayesterday
withthefollowingday.
[53]DealingWithProblems
IndealingwithproblemsIhaveaccustomedmyselftoleaving
themoutsideandnotlettingthemgetdeepinsideme.Idonot
letthemputanypressureonmyframeofmindoronmynerves.
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44
Idonotthinkatallofthefatigueorthepaininvolvedin
theproblem.
Ijustthinkofhowtosolveitorconfrontit.
IfIdonotfindasolution,IleaveitandgiveittoGodtosolve
overaperiodoftime,duringwhichIdonotletitconcernme...
[54]Whygoonatlength?!
Apersonmayspeakatlengthonasubjectwhichdoesnot
deserveatalltobespokenabout,orrequiresuchalarge
amountofwordsasthis...
Itmaybethatthematterisclearlyobviousanddoesnotneed
explanation,yetthisspeakergoesonandonexplainingat
lengthandthelistenerhastoforcehimselftolisten...
Thispointstooneofthreethings:
Eitherthespeakerisapoorjudgeofsubjectmatter,
Orheisapoorjudgeoftime,
Orhedoesnotcareforthefeelingsofhislistener!
Wecanalsosaythesamethingsinrelationtowriting:doesthe
subjectwarrantallthatiswrittenaboutit?!
[55]TheChaosoftheOrganisers
Someorganisersofpartiesandcelebrationsinchurchraisetheir
voicessothattheirinstructionsanddirectionstothepeoplering
out,andtheythemselvesbecomethecauseofanoisydininthe
church.
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45
Youmightbesurprisedwhenyouseethecongregationvery
quietandcalm,whiletheseorganizersaretheonlyoneswho
canbeheard.
Oughtnotordertobeachievedcalmlyandquietly?
[56]RememberandForget
Ivisitedthemaninhospitalwhenhewasillinbedafterhehad
hadathrombosisbroughtonbystressfromhisinabilitytobear
failureinajobwhichwasparticularlyimportanttohim...
Isaidtohim,Youhavedoneverymanygreatthingswhich
haveseensuccessatyourhands...
Whythendoyouconcentratesomuchonthisonejobwhich
hasfailedforreasonsbeyondyourcontrol?!
RememberyoursuccessesandhowGodhelpedyouinthem,
andforgetthisworkwhichfailedthroughnofaultofyours.
[57]TomorrowisBetterforYou
Dontliveinyourpresentdayifitistoowearisomeforyou,
butliveforyourtomorrow.
InthistomorrowseethehandofGodreachingouttoyou
tocalmyou.
Andonthemorrowyouwillseemanysolutionstoyour

problems.
Ifyourtodayisdark,thenyourtomorrowwillopenbeforeyou
windowsoflight.
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46
TheSaintslivedfortheirtomorrows,fortheireternity,and
hungalltheirhopesuponit.
DavidlivedforhistomorrowwhenSaulwaspursuinghim.
AndsodidJonahwhenhewasinthebellyofthefish...
Josephlivedforhistomorrowwhenhewasinprisonandsodid
hisfatherJacobwhenhewasfleeingfromEsau,trustingthat
Godwouldrestorehimfromhisexile...
Ifthingsbecomeproblematicforyou,saytoyourselfthat
theywillbesolvedtomorrow.
Thensmileandliveforthattomorrow...
[58]UnconditionalJudgements
Manyjudgementswhichcontainthewordsalloreveryare
liabletobewrong,suchassomeonewhosays,Ihaveread
everybookwhichdealswiththissubjectandalltheFatherssay
suchandsuch.
Itwouldbebettertosay,Ihavereadmanybooks,ormost
oftheFathersorsomeormanyoftheFathersinsteadof
usingthewordall.
[59]Absolution,ForWhom?
In1958,whenIwasthefatherconfessorforthemonksofthe
monastery,ithappenedthatoneofthemcametometoconfess,
buthedidnotmentionasinglesinthathehadcommitted,but
wentonandonallthetimetellingmeaboutthemistakesmade
byoneoftheFatherstowardshim.
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47
Whenhehadfinishedhistalesandthetimecamefortheprayer
ofabsolution,Isaidtohimwithasmile:Couldyoucallthis
FathernowsothatIcanreadhimanabsolution!
[60]IstheLeaderLed?
Someofthemsaidtome,Whatiswrongisnotwhatthis
greatmanhasdonebutwhatthosearoundhimhavedone,
fortheyhaveledhimastraybytheirbadadvice.
[61]TheWisdomofAbigail
Whenwehavetogivesomepeoplereproofordirection,we
needtohavethatspiritofwisdominwhichAbigailspoketo
David..
Shecombinedindirectreproachwithappreciation,respect
andobviouspraise,whichopenedhishearttoher.
(1Sam.25:1833).

Shesaidallthatshewantedtosaybutinaveryhumblemanner
withouthurtingDavidsfeelings.Thereforeshereallydeserved
itwhenDavidsaidtoher,Mayyoubeblessedforyour
goodjudgement.
[62]AlltheSins
ItwasinJune1959whenamanfromthecountrysidecameto
meonaCommuniondayinordertoconfess,andhesaidtome,
Toputitbriefly,Ihavecommittedallthesinsintheworld.
IrealisedthathedidnotwanttosayanythingspecificandsoI
askedhim.
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48
Haveyoukilledanyone?Andheanswered,No.
Haveyoubeenunkindtoapoordefencelesswidow?Andhe
replied,No.
HaveyoustolenfromtheNationalBank?Andheagain
replied,No.
SoatthatpointIsaidtohim:whythen,myson,doyoudo
yourselfaninjusticebysayingthatyouhavecommittedallthese
sinsintheworld?!Tellmenowwhatexactlyhaveyoudone?.
[63]Pain
Painisstrongeranddeeperthanjoyandalsomoresincere.
Apersoninpainstandsbeforetherealityoflifeandbeforethe
realityofhimselfandperceivesthatallthedelightsoftheworld
arefeebleandinsignificant...
[64]Forgiveness,butnoSin!!
Theysaidtome:Wehavecometoyouasintermediaries
onbehalfofsoandso,thatyoushouldforgivehim.
AndIsaidtothem,Hassoandsodonesomethingwrongthat
Ishouldforgivehim?!Hesaystoeveryonethathehasdone
nothingwrongatall.
IwonderifIshouldsaytohim,MayGodforgiveyouforany
sinsyouhavenotcommitted?!
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49
[65]PracticalInformation
WhenIusedtostandandspeakfromthepulpit,theobjectwas
thatthepeopleshouldlearn.
ButwhenIusedtositwiththepeopletodiscusstheir
affairs,thenIwastheonewholearnedfromthem.
Theywouldbringtomymindmoreandmorenewinformation
whentheydescribedtomethepracticalrealitiesoftheirlives,
whichtheyknewaboutbetterthanI,ofcourse,andtheywould
alsopresentmewithusefulpracticalsuggestionswhichIcould
makeuseofinsortingouttheiraffairsandthoseofotherstoo.
Thatishowmyinsightintotherealityofpeopleslivesbecomes

refined.
Whenthediscussioncomestoanend,bothsideshave
benefited.Ihavegainednewinformationfromwhatthey
havementionedtome,andtheyhavegainedfromthe
decisionuponwhichwehaveagreed.
[66]

OrphanageorVocational
Institution?
Amanwhowaswealthycametomeandtoldmethathe
wantedtofoundahomeforthecareoforphans,andIsaidto
him:Ihaveanotherideaforyou,comeandletusdiscussthe
matter.
Anorphangrowsupandbecomesanadult,butfeelsvery
sensitiveaboutthewordsorphanageandorphan,hedoesnot
wantanyonetoknowthathewasbroughtupinachildrenshome.
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Sowhydontwejustestablishvocationalboardinginstitutions
insteadoforphanages,whereorphanscanhavetheirlessons
alongwithchildrenwhohavefamilies?Theonlydifference
betweenthetwotypesofchildrenwouldbethattheorphan
wouldstaythenightintheinstitute.Andthechildwhohada
homecouldalsospendthenightthereifforexamplehisfamily
hadtotravelawayfromhome.
Thenwecouldgetridofthewordsorphanageandorphans.
[67]WhatGodWillsorPermits
Ihaveheardmanypeoplesayabouteverythingthatcomes
about:ItwasGodswill,whethertheoutcomewasgoodor
bad.
YetGodwantsonlythebest.Asfortheillsthathappenon
theearth,theyhappenagainstGodsbeneficentwill.
GodpermitsthesethingstohappenbecauseHehasgenerously
grantedmanfreewill,butGodwilljudgehimforit...Sothatis
whythetyrantisfreetooppress,themurderertokillandthe
thieftosteal.AllthesemattersareopposedtoGodsgoodwill
andHewilljudgethewrongdoersforthem.
Thereis,therefore,abigdifferencebetweenwhatGodwills
andwhatGodpermits.
[68]TheDevilSaidtoGod
TheDevilsaidtoGod:Leavemethestrong,Icancopewith
them(Prov.7:26)
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Butasfortheweak,sincetheyareconsciousoftheirweakness,
theywillaskforyourstrengthandwillfightmewithitandI

shallbedefeatedbeforethem.
[69]WinningPeople
Realsuccessisnotthatyoutriumphoverpeople.Thisis
neitherbraverynorstrength..
Butrealsuccessistogainpeople,towinthem,forhe
whowinssouls[is]wise..(Prov.11:30)
Perhapsyoutriumphoverpeopletotheirdisadvantage!Butit
doesnotmeanthatbecauseoftheirlossyouhavebeen
successful.
OurLordChristwasatHisstrongestonthecrossforthenHe
hadwoneverybody.
[70]FollowingThrough
Experienceinlifehasshownmethatitisnotenoughsimplyto
issuesoundpracticaldecisions,especiallyforthecongregation.
Butoneshouldconstantlyfollowthroughthesedecisionsand
findouthowfartheycanbeimplementedandwhetherany
obstaclesbeintheirwayandwhatmeanscanbeofferedto
avoidtheseobstacles?...
Forwithoutfollowingthrough,resolutionsbecomejustanice
memoryandhoweasyitisforustoforgetthemwiththe
passingoftime!
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[71]PeoplearetheStandstheyTake
Sometimeshistorypraisesapersonforaparticularstandhehas
taken,formanliness,heroismornobility...Orhistorymight
rememberhimforabrilliantwordhehasspokenwhichcannot
beforgottenbecauseofitsdepthandinfluence.
Anotherperson,onthecontrary,mayhavehisnamerecorded
byhistoryinconnectionwithsomeshamefulordisgraceful
situationwhichhasbrokenhischaracter!!Hiswholelifeis
forgottenandthisincidentisallthatremains.
Sopeoplearereallythestandsthattheytake,andsuch
standsrevealthehiddenqualitiesofpeopleespeciallywhen
itcomestothosesituationswhichcannotbeforgotten.
Therearealotofpeoplewhowerenotknownforanythingat
all...butjustoneincidentbroughtthemfame!
[72]TheComplainingSinner
ApersonintheChurchmakessomeawfulmistakeswhichhave
aseriouseffectonotherpeopleandalleffortstoadvisehimand
bepatientwithhimfail.Intheendhehastobepunishedsothat
hiserrorswillnotspreadfurtherandhurtmorepeople.But
thatcanbedonequietlywithoutitsadverseaspectsbeingmade
known.
Yethedoesnotcalmdown,thoughwehavepassedoverthe
matter,andhekeepsoncryingbeforethepeopleand

complainingtoeachone,andhetalkstoeveryonehemeets
abouttheinjusticethathasbeeninflicteduponhim
withouthiscommittinganyfault!
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Thepeoplecometomethenimploringorwonderingabouthim,
orfindingfaultsandIfindmyselfinadilemma.
EitherIremainsilentandstandbeforethemlikeonewhois
unjust,whichmightcausethemtostumble!
OrIrevealtothemthemistakesofthatpersonandthushis
reputationisharmed,whileIwouldprefer,outofconcernfor
him,thathissinsremainunknown.
[73]TheSpiritoftheLaw
Justiceingivingasentencedecreesthatthejudgeshouldrulein
accordancewiththespiritofthelawandnotjustthebaretexts
ofthelaw.
Thatiswhyveryoftenthejudgesresorttotheexplanatory
textbooktothelaw,ortotherecordsoftheParliamentary
session.
Weoftenreadinthelawbooksthephrase,whatthelegislator
considers..becausewhatisimportantisthespiritofthelaw:
Fortheletterkills,buttheSpiritgiveslife.(2Cor.3:6)
[74]FairShares!
Ihaveafriendandweweregoingtosharesomeworktogether,
andhesaidtome:Comeonletsdivideuptheparticularareas
oftheworkbetweenus.
Illhavetheauthorityandtheadministration,
Youcanhavetheproblemsandbeinchargeofsolving
them!!
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SoIsmiled,rememberingthestoryofthatBeduinpoetwho
wantedtosharewithhiscompanionthetaskofmakingthe
breadwhichtheywouldeattogether,andhesaidtohimashe
divideduptherelativeexpensesinvolvedinmakingit:
YouprovidetheflourandIlldothefire:
Illbringthewaterandyouprovidethebutterandhoney!
[75]GodandtheProblem
DonotlookataproblembutlookatGodtosolveit.
YourfeelingsthatGodisstandingwithyouinyourdifficulties
willgiveyouhopeandstrength.
[76]BlessingandanOrderlyApproach
Oneofthecommonmistakespeoplemakeistosay,Letitbe
accordingtoGodsblessing,bywhichtheymeanthatyou
shouldleavethemattertoturnouthoweveritwill,without

botheringaboutanysystemorarrangementorpreparation
towardsit.AsthoughGodsblessingwereinsomeway
opposedtoanorderlyapproach!Orasifsuchamethodical
wayofdealingwithasituationwereakindofhumanwisdom
whichwouldconflictwithHisblessings.
YetachapteroftheGospelconcernedwithblessings,in
whichtheLordblessedthefiveloavesandtwofishandsatisfied
thecrowds,isactuallyachapterwhichshowstheworkingof
order,sincetheLordsaid:Makethemsitdowningroupsof
fifty..(Luke9:14,Mark6:40)
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Likewisethedistributionwasmadeinanorderlymanner:the
Lordgavetothedisciplesandthedisciplesgavetothecrowds
(Mt.14:19)andwhatwasleftoverwasnotthrownonthe
groundbut,HesaidtoHisdisciplesGatherupthefragments
thatremiansothatnothingislost(John6:12)Sothey
gathereditandfilledtwelvebaskets.
Blessingandanorderlyapproachgotogether.Anorderly
approachfacilitatesblessing.
[77]ForgettingtheGood(1)
Dogoodandforgetaboutit.Dontseekanyrewardorpraise
forit.
Dontexpectthattheonetowhomyouhavedoneagood
turnwillrepayyouinthesamewayorgiveyouthesame
treatment.
Onethingissurewhichisthatyouhavenotdonegoodwith
someexpectationofareward!Whenyoudogoodjustbecause
youlovetodogoodandbecauseyoucannothelpdoinggood,
thenyoucanbesurethatyouhavedonegood.
Letgoodnessbeacharactertraitinyou.Letitbe
somethingspontaneous,whichrequiresnoeffortjustlike
breathing.
Ifyouforgetit,Godwillremindyou,hereandineternity.
Butifyourecallit,evenifitisonlyinsideyou,thenyou
mightwellloseit...
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[78]ForgettingtheGood(2)
Dogoodandforgetit..
Itisinsideyourself.Donotthinkaboutit,otherwiseyouwill
fallintoselfrighteousness,conceitandthinkingtoohighlyof
yourself...
Forgetitbeforeotherpeople.Dontspeakaboutit,incase
youfallintoprideandgetyourrewardforitfrompeople,while

youlosethatblessingofhavingdonegoodinsecret...
ForgetthisgoodnesstoobeforeGod,lestyoudowhatthe
Phariseeinthetempledid,forhedidnotgohomejustified
beforeGod.(Luke18)
Forgetanygooddeedthatyouhavedone,sothatitcanbe
storedupforyouastreasureinheaven,becausebyrecallingit
youloseit.ThiswastheproblemoftherighteousJob,andthe
causeofhistrial.(Job29)
ForgetthisgoodthatyoudoandGodwillrememberitfor
you.Butdonotforgetthegoodwhichothersdotoyou,
rathermakeitareasonforthemtobeclosertoyourheart.Be
gratefultothemandthankfulforwhattheyhavedone...
[79]GettingintoDifficulties
Manypeopleletthemselvesgetinvolvedinrelationshipsthat
keeponexpandinguntiltheygetintodifficultiesandbecome
exhaustedbythem...Thesesortsofrelationshipsinvolvethemin
complexpoliciesandexposethemtoinformationwhichcauses
themtolosetheirsimplicityandpurityofheart,whetheritis
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trueorfalseinformation.Howniceitwouldbeifaperson
couldsetlimitstoallhisrelationshipsothathewouldnotgo
beyondthemtoeatfromthetreeofknowledgeofgoodand
evil.
[80]DoesThinkingHaveaPrice?
Thepriceofabookisthepriceofitspaper,inkandprinting
costs,notthepriceofitsthoughts..
Thoughtsaretooprecioustobegivenaprice,theycannot
beboughtorsold,onlygiven.
Theyarealightwhichspreadsoutfromonemindtoanother
andfromonehearttoanotherandcastsitsraysonthosewho
lovethemandalsoonthosewhocriticisethem.
Sowhenyoureadthepriceofabook,dontimagineatallthat
itrepresentsthepriceofitsthoughts,forperhapsitcontainsa
singleideawhichistoovaluabletobeboughtatanyprice...
Evenwhenitcomestoabookwhichseemstobeprofitablefor
itsprice,whatisthisprofitexceptthecostoftheauthors
expensesagainsthisrequirementsorthoseofothers?Itisnot
thevalueoftheideas.
Andtheusefulnessofagoodbookisnotconfinedonlytoits
thoughts,buttheotherideaswhichitgeneratesinthemind
ofitsreaderandinhisheart.Doyouthinkthatthese
thoughtsandfeelingssogeneratedcanbeevaluated?They
areinvaluable!
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[81]ThePolicyofTransferringResponsibility
Manyofthosewhodonotliketotakeresponsibilityfortheir
actionsormistakestrytotransfertheresponsibilityontoothers
inordertoexoneratethemselves.Butthisisanoldmistake,
goingbacktothetimeofAdamandEve.
OurforefatherAdamwantedtojustifyhimselfbyputtingthe
blameonEveandsheinturnwantedtoputitontheserpent.
Whenapersonmakesamistakehemighttrytoputtheblame
forhismistakesonsocietyortheChurchorhisparentsor
friends.Themainthingisthathewantstoexempthimselffrom
blame.
Asforyou,itisbettertotakeresponsibilityforyourown
actionsandnottrytotransferittoanother,howevermuchhe
hashadashareinit,andthenlookforyourweakpointsin
ordertocorrectthem.
Understandthatthemistakesofothersarenotanexcuse
foryouandwillnotintercedeforyouonthedayof
Judgement.
[82]BeingaPupil
Itisamistaketoimaginethatonesperiodoflearningendsata
particularageorstage.
Oneshouldbeapupilforthewholeofoneslife,withoutgiving
up,evenafteronehasbecomeateacher.Fortheteacherwhois
stronginhissubjectisonewhohascontinuedtolearn,
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oratleasttoreadcontinuouslyinordertoactivatehis
knowledge,makeitgrowandextenditsoastobeablealways
topresentsomethingnewtohispupils.
[83]ASchoolforMarriage
Ihaveoftencalledforthesettingupofthiskindofschool.
Howoftenweseeintheclericalassemblycasesofmarital
discord,andhowoftenaredivorceandannulmentbrought
beforethejudge,allofwhichmakesusfeelanurgentneedfor
theChurchtosetupclassesforlearningaboutmarriedlife...
Amongitssetsubjectswouldbe:whatismarriage,itsaimsand
conditions,suitabilityformarriageandcompatibility,studying
theengagementperiodandwhatitinvolvesandhowtobehave
duringit,andhowtobehaveandcooperateinthemaritalhome.
Alsoonecouldlearnaboutthecharacterofmenandwomen,
andthereasonsformaritaldisputesandhowtosolvethem,
howtobringupchildren,howtoarrangeoneshomeand
financialaffairs,andhowtobehavetowardstherelativesof
bothpartners...
Allthiswouldbesothatouryoungpeopledonotenter

suddenlyuponawayoflifethatistotallyunfamiliarand
thusfindthemselvesfloundering.
Andiftheydofindthemselvesindifficulties,theywouldknow
whethertokeepquietaboutthemorspeak,andwithwhomto
speakabouttheirproblems.
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[84]InSpiteof...
Todogoodinspiteofobstaclesinonesway,showsadeep
fundofgoodnessintheheartandthetriumphofthewilltodo
good,andthathasagreatreward.
Asexamplesofthiswehave:
Theonewhogivesinspiteofhavingneedsofhisown,like
thewidowwhogavehertwosmallcoins;(Mark12:42)and
thewidowwhogavetheprophetElijahfoodduringthe
famine,andthepoormanwhopaidhistithesinspiteof
beinginneedhimself.
Toenterbythewidegateandthebroadroadiseasy,butthe
onewhoentersbythenarrowgateinspiteofitsdifficult
path,heistheonewhowillreceiveablessingfromtheLord.
Likewisetheonewhoisforgivinginspiteofbeing
deeplyoffended,andtheonewhoforgives,thoughitis
seventytimesseven.(Matt.18:22)
Andtheonewhosucceedsinspiteofthedifficultyofthe
test,asourfatherAbrahamdidinhistesttosacrificehisonly
son,thesonpromisedbyGod.
Andtheonewhosticksfirmlytohisfaithorattainsafirm
faithdespitedoubtsorstruggles,likethethiefwhobelieved
intheLordwhenhewascrucifiedbesideHimandtauntsand
provocationswereallaroundthem.
Likewisetheonewhoretainshissincerityanddevotionin
themidstofdifficulties,atatimewhenmanystumbleand
fall,likethebelovedJohnwhofollowedhisMasterevento
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thecross,andlikeJosephofArimatheaandNicodemuswho
werenotafraidtobejoinedincrucifixion,andSaintJulius
ElAkfehaswhotookcareofthebodiesofthemartyrs...
Anyonecandosomethinggoodifitiseasytodo,buttodo
goodwhenoneissurroundedbydifficultiesanddangersis
realproofofrighteousnessandsaintliness.
[85]Judas
JudasbetrayedhisLordandMaster.
ButthereisaJudasaliveineverygeneration.
HewasaparticularpersonwhomwereadaboutintheGospel.

Butheisalsoasymbol...
[86]WhoisBlownbytheStorm?
Stormsblowbuttheydonotshakeeverything.
Thericketyhutmaybedemolished,butthefirmlybased
mountainwillnotbeshaken.Thelittletreeisblown,but
thestrongoakisunaffected.
ThewatersoftheNilewithalltheirforce,sweepalongintheir
courseanysoilwhichtheymeet,anddigachannelthroughit.
ButtheycannotsweepawaythesixgreatCataractsGanadil
stoneswhichremainfixedinthecurrent.Neitheritswatersor
wavescanaffectthem.
Andyou,askyourselfwhatareyoumadeof?
Beafixedslabofstonewhichthewatercannotsweep
away.
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Beatoweringmountainwhichthestormscannotshake.
AndrememberwhatwassaidaboutZerubbabel:Whoareyou,
Ogreatmountain?BeforeZerubbabelyoushallbecomea
plain(Zech.4:7)
Donotletnewreportsshakeyounoreventsalarmyou.Be
biggerthanthem.Letthempassbyoroveryouwhileyou
stayunchanged.
TheApostlesaid:Standfirm.Letnothingshakeyou.Always
giveyourselffullytotheworkoftheLord.(1Cor.15:58)
Yes.Standfirm!
Thesafetyofyourlifeisnotdependentonexternalfactors,but
onfaithandonthesubstanceofyourheartinsideyou.
TheheartthatisstrongintheLordisaninvinciblefortress.
[87]RepentanceorJustanAttempt
Someonewhosaysthathehasrepentedthengoesbackto
sinning,thenrepentsandgoesbackagain...hasnotyet
repented.Thisisnotrepentancebutattemptsatrepentance.
Apersonwhoistrulysorryforhissinisapersonwhoselifehas
changed,whohaslefthissinwithnogoingback,likeSaint
AugustineandSt.MosestheBlack.
OneoftheSaintssaid:Idontrecallthatthedevilshaveever
mademefallintothesamesintwice.
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[88]FourKindsofDoingGoodandDoingHarm
Whenitcomestodoinggoodordoingharm,theretendtobe
fourtypesofpeople:
1)Apersonwhobenefitsotherswhoatthesametime
benefitshimself,andthatspringsfromhiswisdom,loveand

eagerconcernforothersandhisgoodrelationshipwiththem.
2)Apersonwhohelpsothersevenifitinvolveshimself
beingharmedinsomeway.Thistypeischaracterisedbyhis
selfsacrifice,hissparingnoefforts,andhisenergy.Inrealityhe
hasnotactuallyharmedhimselfbuthasbenefitedspiritually.As
theLordsaind,Whoeverwouldlosehislife...willfindit.(Matt
10:39)
3)Athirdtypeofpersonbenefitshimselfattheexpenseof
others.Thisistheselfishtypewholoveshimself.Heisnot
fittedforsociallifenorforthespirituallife.
4)Afourthtypeharmshimselfandothers.Heisaperson
whoisbadlybehavedorignorant.Itwouldbebetterifhedid
notexistatall.
Whichofthesetypesdoyouyourselfresemble?
Agoodusefulperson,whichthecircleoftheirgoodness
wouldspreadouttoembraceothers?
[89]UnexpectedEvents
Unexpectedeventsrevealpeoplestruemakeup.
Theyarealightthatiscastonapersonwhichshowshis
characterinitstruecolour.
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WethankGodforsucheventsbecausetheygiveusadeeper
knowledgeintoourbrothersandfriendsanddeeperexperience.
Theyareabalanceforweighing..aproof..ameansof
sifting.
Thatiswhythoseelderswhohaveseenmanysuchoccurrences
havesounderopinionsbecausetheycanjudgeaccordingtothe
realitythattheyhaveexperiencedandthedeeperknowledge
thattheyhavegainedofpeople.
[90]AFamousPreacher
Thefamouspreachersaidtome:Doyouknowhowmany
sermonsIhavepreachedthisyear?
AndIreplied,Iwouldratherknowhowmanypeoplehave
repentedthisyearasaresultofbeinginfluencedbyyour
sermons,andhaveturnedbacktoGod.
[91]

FleeingfromSinandBeingFreed
FromSin
Whatadifferencethereisbetweenfleeingfromandbeingfreed
fromsin.
Apersonmaytrytofleefromsin,butthisdoesnotmeanthat
hewillhavebeenliberatedfromthissin,evenifhehasnot
actuallycommittedit.
Runningawayfromsinissomethingexternal.
Liberationfromsinisaninnerconditionoftheheart.

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65
Nevertheless,torunawayfromsinisthefirststep,perhapsitis
forbeginners,buttoseekfreedomfromsinisforthosewhoare
wellonthewaytomaturity.
Sometimestoescapefromsinisproofofafearoffallinginto
errorwhichshowsthatonehasnotyetbeenliberatedonthe
inside!
Fleeingfromsinmayalsobeasignofonesrejectionofit,as
wasthecasewiththerighteousJosephwhenhefledfromthe
wifeofhismaster...
SomeoftheSaintsfleefromsinoutofakindofhumility,
lesttheyfallpreytothedeviloffalseglory.
Sometimestheyfleefromsininordertodevotethemselvesto
constructivespiritualwork,butinsidethemtheyhavebeen
alreadyliberatedfromsucherrors.
[92]IsSilenceaVirtue?
Silenceisnotalwaysavirtue....
Sometimeswearejudgedguiltyforkeepingquiet...
Theissuerequireswisdom,sothatweknowwhentospeakand
whentokeepsilent,andifwespeak,thenwhatwordstouse.
Thewisemanisonewhodoesnotremainsilentwhenhe
shouldspeakanddoesnotspeakwhenheshouldremain
silent.
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[93]WithintheChurch
Iamnotsurprisedatthosewhomtheworldsweepsawayand
whoperish...Thisissomethingnaturalandtherearemany
examplesofit...
ButIamsurprisedatsomeonewhoperisheswhoiswithin
theChurch,whomightevenbeoneofitsservers!
Hemightcometogriefbecauseofprideorhisloveof
dominating,orangerorhisloveofpraise,orbecauseofa
distortedfaith,orbecauseofhisstubbornness,fanaticismor
hostilitytoeveryoneelse!
WhensomeonelikethisjoinstheChurchbringinghissinswith
him,heperishesbecauseofthemandsodoothers.
[94]WhendoYouknowHim?
Youwontknowapersonjustfromhearingabouthimoreven
byhavingbusinessdealingswithhim.
Butyoufindoutwhateachpersonisreallylikewhenyou
haveadifferencewithhim,whetherthisisadifferencein
opinionoraconflictofinterests.
[95]Stages

Inlifewepassthroughstages.Theheart,thoughts,feelings
andspiritallpassthroughthem.Eachstagehasitsimpactand
effect.Ithasadurationoftimebeyondwhichitdoesnotgo.
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Golgothaisastage,soistheResurrection.Theascentto
heavenisastagethatextendstothesittingontherighthandof
theFather,wherethereisfinalrest.
AGologtha,asastageinlife,doesnotlastforever.
Itpassesaswerejoiceintheresurrectionandoursituation
improvesandthecrossturnstoacrownandglory...
Happyistheonewholookscontinuallywithhopeforthenext
stage.
Happyistheonewhomdifficultiesdonotsendtotheother
extreme.Foradifficultyisonlyastageinlifeandthe
solutionofthatdifficultyisyetanotherstage.
Livewithfaiththattherewillbeasolutionandrejoiceasyou
lookforwardtowhatcannotbeseen.
Theworlditselfisonlyastageinlifethatwillarriveatanother
stage,thatofeternity.
[96]

WhentheTapeRecorderisNotThere
Somepeoplearecautiousoftheirspeechandpayparticular
careoveritwhenataperecorderisplacedbeforethem,because
itregisterswhatevertheysay...
Butifthereisnorecorderbeforethemapersontendsto
speakwithoutreserveorrestraint.
Hedoesnotcareifhehasmadeamistakesolongasthereis
notarecorderorsomeoneobservinghim,sincehecannotbe
blamedorquestionedforwhathehassaid.
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Yeteverywordhespeaksischargedtohisaccounthere
andinheavenwhetheroneswordsareonatapeornot.The
LordJesusChristsaid,foreveryidlewordmenmay
speak,theywillgiveaccountofitinthedayofjudgment.For
byyourwordsyouwillbejustified,andbyyourwordsyou
willbecondemned."(Matt.12:3637)
Thesameappliestothepersonwhoisjustcarefulofhis
behaviourbeforeacamera,becausehisexpression,actions,
movementsandappearanceareallrecorded,thoughhemaynot
careatallaboutsuchthingswhenthecameraisnotthere...!
[97]TiringConversations
Someonewhowasreallyfedupsaidtome:
WhatcanIdoaboutapersonwhowastesmytimebymaking

melistentosomethingwhichIknowallaboutandhaveheard
manytimesbefore?Orsomeonewhotriestoconvinceme
aboutsomethingwhichIhavealreadymadeupmymindabout?
ThemoreItellhimthatmymindismadeup,themoreheinsists
ontryingtoexplainandconvincemefurther!
WhatshouldIdowithsomeonewhotalkstomealotyetsays
nothingofanypurpose,andwhothenasksforanother
appointmentonwhichhecanaddmorenothingtothenothing
hehasalreadytoldme?!
Isaidtohim;Perhapsthesepeoplewanttoteachyouthe
virtueofbeingagoodlistener.
Andhereplied,Forgiveme.Butwhataboutmynerves,
theyretiredoutandexhausted?
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SoIsaidtohim,Itwouldbebetterwiththesepeopleifyou
leadthediscussion,ortrytochangethesubjectthattheyhave
broughtupanddirectitfromthenon.
[98]TheSkilledSpeaker
Theskilledspeakerisonewhotellsyouwhatyouwantto
hearandnotwhathewantstosay...
Andifhewantstosaysomethingtoyouheputsittoyouinan
interestingwaysothatyouwanttolistenandifhefallssilent
anddoesnotfinishwhathewassayingyouurgehimtotellyou
therestofthestory.
Hefillsyourearswithwhattheylikeanddoesnotforceyou
tolistentowhatdoesnotpleaseyou.
Ifhenoticesfromyourexpressionthatyouarenotlisteningany
more,hedoesnotgoonandon,buttactfullybringsthesubject
toacloseinordertochangetheconversationtosomething
whichheknowsyouwillfindmorepleasing...
Throughhisspeechhearousesyourconcernandyourinterest
inwhathesays.
Youalwaysfeelthathiswordsaresoothingtoyourears,
yourmindandheart.
Thisiswhywefindthattheskilfulspeakerattractstheattention
ofhislisteners,asopposedtosomeonewhospeaksonsubjects
whichdonotinteresthislistenersandatsuchlengththatthey
growbored,yethavenopowertosilencehimoravoidlistening
tohim!
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[99]NoisyBehaviour
Somethingwehaveevenmetduringourministry.
Thereisakindofpersonwhoimaginesthathewillachievehis
desiresintheChurchbynoisyanddisturbingmethods,with

pamphletsandleafletsandstirringupthepeopleandtalkinga
lothereandthere,imaginingthattheChurchwilldoforhim
whathewantsinordertoputastoptohisclamouring!
However,suchunspiritualmethodsasthesearenotcompatible
withthespiritualatmosphereoftheChurch.Theyarean
attempttointroducetheatmosphereoftheWorldintothe
sphereoftheChurch.ItisnotfortheChurchtobowdownto
thesemethodsotherwiseitspeoplewillgetaccustomedto
them.
[100]OneWayofLife
WemustreconcileourwayoflifewithintheChurchandour
wayoflifeoutsideit,sothattheyproceedalongthesameline
withoutanycontradictions.
Itisnotgoodforapersontohavetwopersonalities:oneforthe
HouseofGodandanotherfortheworld.
Therighteouspersonisalwaysthesame,hedoesnotweara
differentfaceforeachdifferentoccasion.
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[101]IhadDoneWrong
Icouldnotgotoseehimbeforehedied.ThatwasbecauseI
lovedhimverymuch...andmyheartcouldnotbeartosee
himashewasdying.
Icametoknowafterhehadpassedawaythathehadwantedto
seemeverymuchbeforehedepartedthisworld..
MyheartwasinverygreatpainbecauseIhaddonewrongby
notgoingtovisithim,preferringmyowncomforttohis...
[102]TeachingthePoorManaSkill
Manychurchesandcharitableassociationsgivemonthly
assistancetothepoor.Thisisgoodforthosewhoareunableto
work.
Butforthosewhocan,thenitisbettertofindthemsomework,
teachthemaskill,orstartasimpleprojectforthem.Thenthey
willnotbeinneedofconstantassistance.
Ifthatisnotpossible,thenatleastsomeworkshouldbefound
fortheirsonsanddaughters...
Thecharitablecommitteesneedtobetrainedtorecognisethose
jobssuitableforthepooraccordingtoeachonescapabilities
andunderstanding.
[103]WrongEstimations
Doyou,myBrother,imaginethatHerodwasstrongerthan
JohntheBaptistbecausehewasabletopresenttheheadof
JohntheBaptistonaplate?
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Thereisnodoubtthathewasnot!Hisvictimwasthestronger.

HerodcontinuedtofearJohntheBaptistevenafterhehadhad
himkilled,andwhenChristappeared,HerodimaginedthatJohn
hadrisenfromthedead.(Matt.14:2).
Howamazingpeoplesestimationsare!Theyimaginethereto
bestrengthwherethereisonlyweaknessandimaginethereto
bevictorywhenthereisdefeat!
[104]Mediators
Sometimesapersonmakesamistakeanddoesnotapologise
forhiserror,infacthedoesnotevenadmittohavingdone
wrong...
Eventhoughhismistakehasputhimintrouble,heremains
defiant.Mediatorsintervenetomakeexcusesforhimbut
heinsistsproudlythathehasdonenothingwrong!
Wheneverhedoeswrong,thereisalwayssomeonetointercede
onhisbehalftodefendhimandhebecomesmorebrazen
becauseofthesedefendersofhiswhocontinuetopleadforhim
ashecontinuestosin,evenafterthesituationhasbeenrestored,
thoughnotamended!
Thesituationmayreachthepointthatitisneglectedasaresult
ofthemistakebeinglongstandingandgoingunpunishedand
beingcontinuallydefendedandexcused...
Inthemeantime,valuesanddisciplinearelost.Thosewho
lovegoodnessbecomeupsetandprotest,anditappears
thattheremustbeinterventionofadecisivenatureandthe
impositionofapenaltyasadeterrent.
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Thestrangethingisthatthemediatorswhodefendjustifytheir
positionsayingthattheyareactingoutofloveandadesirefor
peace.Yetinallthistheydonotrealisetherealmeaningof
love.Fortodefendonewhodoeswrongistodohimharm
spirituallyandharmtheinterestsoftheworldandharmthe
modelofgoodness.
Itisyourloveforonewhodoeswrongwhichcansavehim
fromhissin,notpunishment.
Yourloveforhimshouldpushhimtorepent,notyoutodefend
him.Itshouldmakeyoupersuadehimthathehasdonewrong
andthathemustchangehiscourse.Ifhedoesnot,andis
punishedthenthosewholovehimwillbeconvincedthathe
deservedthepunishmentandwillnotprotestatit.Norisit
possiblethattheirdefenceofhiminthiswaywillevermakehim
stubbornandinsistondoingwrongandthusgofrombadto
worse.
Soletthosemediatorsputbeforethemselvesthewordsofthe
Bible:Hewhojustifiesthewincked,andhewhocondemnsthe
just,bothofthemalikeareanabonimationtothelord(Prov.17:15)
WenoticehereinregardtowhatisabhorrenttotheLord,

firstlythecaseoftheguiltybeingacquitted,thatwhoever
acquitsaguiltymanisnotputtingbeforehimtheTruth,andthe
TruthisoneofthenamesofGod.(Jn.14:6)Itisnotrightfor
anyonetodefendasinnermorethanhewoulddefendtheTruth.
AndsoIsaidtotheminsurprise,Istheleaderled?!
Itisthejobofonewhoisinapositionofauthoritytolead
othersnottobeledbyothers!Thereisnothingwrongwithhis
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listeningtoallopinionsortakingintoconsiderationtheviewsof
thosewithexperience,whogivegoodadvice.Thenhecan
examinethemcarefullyandfindoutwhatisbestandtrueoutof
whathehears,withouthavingtobeledbyallthathehears!
HemustfollowGoodnessandTruthandnotmerelyfollowall
thatpeoplesay.
IftheleaderisledbyGoodnessandTruth,thenthisis
proofthatheisfittedtobealeader.
Whoeverdeclarestheguiltymaninnocentissharinginhis
crime.
Asforsayingthatmediationisforthesakeofpeaceinthe
Church,itisimpossibletobuildpeaceonthecontinuationofan
error.Realpeaceisnotinthedefendingofthefalse,butinthe
prevailingofrighteousness,because,Thereisnopeace,says
myLord,forthewicked.(Is.57:21)
Somepeopleaskme:Isitwrongthenformetoactasa
mediator?
AndIanswer,Beingamediatorisntwrongaslongasitisnt
attheexpenseoftheTruth.
Sobeamediatorthen,butwithoutflatteringwhatisuntrueand
withoutshuttingyoureyestotheTruth.
[105]AReverseSituation
Iwasamazedatthepriestwhoinsteadofsharinginsolvingthe
peoplesproblems,setthematworkonhisownproblemsto
shareinsolvingthem!
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Insteadofprovidingabigheartwhichcouldgiveloveand
compassiontoeveryone,hewasstrivingtobetheobjectofthe
peoplesloveandcompassion!
[106]TheRelativeTruth
Truth,initsabsolutemeaning,istotalgoodnessandtotal
sincerity.
ItisalsooneofthenamesofGod.
ButmostpeopleliveinarelativeTruth,whichisin
accordancewithwhattheyknowandwhattheyfeel.

TwoormoreopponentsmightdisputeabouttheTruth,each
oneclaimingthatitisonhisside,whiletheTruthisinfactquite
remotefrombothpositions,orinbetween.
Apersonmaybecomeoverenthusiasticandrebelliousonthe
pretextofdefendingtheTruth.ProbablythisTruthofhis
consistsofmistakenfactsinhismindwhichhehasheardbut
notexaminedthoroughlyandthatisnottheTruth!
[107]WaysofReprimanding
Toreprimandwithinreasonablelimitsisacceptable.
Buttherearecertainmethodsofcensuringsomeones
behaviourwhichproducetheoppositeeffecttowhatisdesired,
andworsenrelations...Theseare:
1)
Areprimandthatistooharshorsevere,sothattheother
sidedoesnotfeelthatitisdonewithlove.
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2)
Areprimandthatcondemnswithouthavingevidence,and
appearstobeactingunjustlywithoutgoodreason.
3)Areprimandwhichdoesnotacceptanymutualpointof
agreement,whichinsistsonthecausesofitsownangerwithout
acceptinganyexplanation,clarificationordenial.
4)
Areprimandthatdoesnotevenacceptapologiesand
effortsofconciliationandwhichdoesnotaimatpeace!Instead
itaimsatpouringoutallthatisintheheartandmindevenifit
hurtstheotherpersonwithhurtfulwords.
Askyourself:whatismyaiminreprimandingthis
particularperson?AndwhatmethodamIusing?
Rememberwhatthepoetsaid:
Desistfromreprimanding,formanyanevilwasbornofa
reprimand.
[108]WritingandtheConscience
Whoeverwritesshouldputinhismindbeforewritingwhat
consequences,effectsandreactionsarelikelytoresultfromit.
Apieceofwritingissomethingforwhichoneisresponsible
before,onesconscience,beforeGodandbeforeitsreaders.
Blessedisthepersonwhowriteswithhisconsciencebefore
hispen.
Andblessedishewhosewritingcancallforthnobilityand
notsharparrowsofanimosity.
Nooneoughttowriteandpublishwithoutconsideringthe
possiblereactionstohiswork,orjusttoachievesomepersonal
gain.
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[109]TheContagionofPsychologicalIllnesses
Psychologicalillnessescanbepassedfromonepersonto
anotherjustlikecontagiousphysicalillnesses...
Havingtoomuchtodowithscepticsmaymakeonestartto
doubt.Andlisteningtothewordsofthefearfulmaybring
onfear.Thesamegoesforworry,anxietyandsuspicions,
jealousyandlust,whichcanallbepassedonthroughbeingin
closecontactandassociationwithothersandexchangingfacts
andcommunicatingwiththem.
Thereforeitisnecessaryforapersontochoosehisfriends.
Anditisnotonlypsychologicalillnesseswhichcanbe
spreadbycontagion,butspiritualillnessestoo!
[110]TheLimitsofLeniency
Youcanbetolerantandlenientasfarasyourownrightsare
concerned,butshouldnotbesoindulgentwhenitcomestothe
rightsofothers,ortheChurch,orthegeneralpublic,orGod.
Yourpersonalrightbelongstoyou.
Buttherightofthegeneralpublicdoesnot.
Yououghtnottoneglectit;itissomethingdepositedintrustor
committedtooneschargeandyoushouldprotectit.
Isaythisespeciallytoallthoseinapositionofresponsibilityor
whoareentrustedwithacharge.(1Cor.9:17)
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[111]TheImportanceofEndurance
Thevalueofapieceofworkisinitsendurance.Youmay
dosomethingwhichmakesanimpactfordaysorweeks,but
whichcomestoanend,anditisasifitneverhappened...Or
youmaydosomethingwhichhasaneffectonyourlife,which
endswiththeendingofyourlife....Butthisisnotanactivityof
anyrealdepthorstrength...
Astrongactionisonethatlastsevenafteryourlife...
ItcontinuesintoeternitywhereGodwillrememberitfor
you...
Anditcontinuesonearthwherethepeoplerememberyou
forit...
Letusgivesomeexamplesofsuchworkwhichendures:
Strongloveissomethingwhichendures...Asforthatwhichis
shakenbyeventsorendswithanydifferenceofview,thatisnot
reallove.
Strongspiritualtrainingisalsosomethingthatlasts,butifyou
arestrictwithyourselfjustforafewdaysorweeksandthen
reverttohowyouwere,thatisnotstrength,andbringsyouno
benefit...
Likewise,repentancewhichisonlytemporaryisnotreal

repentance,andatemporaryimprovementisnotapermanent
one.Itisimportantthatrepentanceandimprovementshould
bothbelasting.
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Fixedprinciplesaresimilarlyenduring,butasforthosethatare
practisedandthenhiddenaway,theirrootsarenotfirmly
establishedinthesoul.
Itiseasyforapersontodogoodjustforalimitedperiod!
Butifapersonisreallygood,thenhisdoinggoodisa
permanentfeature.
Tobeginapieceofworkiseasy,whatisimportantisthatwe
carryitthroughtocompletion.
[112]Weldingbyoxygen
Itwasaboutfortyyearsago,beforeIwenttobecomeamonk,
thatIwaswalkinginthestreetandsawaworkmancarryingout
anoperationofweldingapieceofmetalbyoxygenandthis
pieceofmetalwassubmittingtohisblazingfireuntilitswelding
wascomplete...
SoIsaidtomyself,whydowecomplainandprotestand
objectwhenGoduseswithusHisprocessofweldingby
oxygen?
[113]ACarandaCart
OnanotheroccasionwhenIwaswalkinginthestreetIsawa
donkeycartandaluxuriousMercedes.Thepeoplewere
wonderinghowthisonecoulddrivealongsidethatone!
ButIsaidtomyself,bothofthemarenecessary:thecartcan
carrysacksandfurniture,buttheMercedescannot.Society
needsbothofthem.Bothareusefulandsuccessfulwithinthe
limitsoftheircapabilitiesandspecialareas,justlikethe
differentmembersofapersonsbody.
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[114]TheGiftofThinking
Thebiggestprojectbeginswithanidea,whichiswhyitis
importantthatthereshouldbepeoplewhohavethegiftof
thinking,andwhohaveenoughtimetothinkandacalm
atmosphereinwhichtothink.
Ifyoudonothavethegiftofthinking,thenrelyonthosewho
areintelligentandexperiencedwhodo...
[115]

TheirReligiosityWearsThemOut!

Beingreligiousdoesnotcausefatigue,unlessofcourseitis
amistakentypeofreligiousness.
Thethingwhichwearsthemout,however,isanadherence

toasingletypeofvirtue,andalackofwisdominhowto
practiseit.
Ifapersonbehaves,forexample,inahumbleandmeekmanner,
butwithoutwisdom,hefindshimselfwornoutbypeoples
attacksonhimandtheirridiculeandlackofrespectforhim,so
hecomesandcomplains.
Orifapersonbehaveunwiselyinhowhegives,sothathefinds
himselfsurroundedbyagroupofswindlerswhotrytoput
constantpressureonhisconsciencewithoutlettingup,hegets
tired!
Orifapersonistoolenient,sothathelosescontrolover
hissubordinatesintheworkplace,andisthenovercomebyan
atmosphereofneglectandindifference.Hethengetswornout
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byallthatandcomplains.
Inreality,Christianitycallsforafullyformedpersonality
inwhichthevirtuesarebroughttoperfection,eventhose
virtueswhichseemtohecontradictory.
Thereispardonandpunishment;andGodhimselfpunishes.
Thereiskindnessandstrictness,meeknessandboldness.
Thereisthegentlewordandalsotherebukewhenitiscalled
for.
AstheBiblesays:Toeverything[there][is]aseason,Atime
foreverypurposeunderheaven:.(Eccl.3:18)
Ingeneraleveryvirtuemustbelinkedtowisdomand
discrimination.Thosetypeswhosaythattheyarewornout
bybeingreligiousarenotpractisingorunderstanding
religioncorrectly,becausetheydosowithoutwisdom.
[116]OnOneDay
IhavenoticedwhiletravellingalongLifesroad,thataperson
mighttakefortyyearstobuildhisname,fameandreputation,
andthatallofthiscouldthenbelostononeday,perhapseven
injustonehourorbyoneact!Itisarealtragedy.
[117]LearningandSubmitting
Tobeapupildoesnotjustmeanlisteningtothewordsofa
teacher,butmeansthatoneisaseekerafterknowledge,
whoabsorbsaparticularspiritandlifestylewhichispassed
fromonepersontoanother.Thusitisspirit,and[they]
arelife..(John6:63)
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Beingapupilinvolvesnotonlyinstructionbutinthemain
submittingoneself.
Atrueteacherissomeonewhocanpresentthedivinepictureto

thepeople,presentingthemwiththespirituallifeinanentirely
practicalway.Theylearnmorefromlifethanfromwords.
ThetrueteacherisabeautifuliconintheChurch,heisthe
imageofGodbeforethepeople.
HowdothechildrenintheChurchlearn?Howdotheordinary
peopleandthoseoflimitedknowledgelearnandthosewhodo
notgraspthedepthofwhatbooks,readingsandsermons
contain?
Theylearnfromalivingimage,theyabsorbthespirituallifeand
receiveitsidealsintheexamplesetbeforethem...
Eventhosewhounderstandthebooksandthesermonsonly
grasptheirdepthsbywayofapracticalexample.
Andyou,Iwonder,whatdoyoupresenttothepeople?
Wordsoralivingexample?!
[118]JoiningonPaper
QuiteoftenayoungmanfromanotherChristiandenominationwantsto
marryanOrthodoxCopticgirl,oneofourdaughtersinthe
Church.AndsincetheChurchinsiststhatanengagementonly
beperformedbetweentwoOrthodoxmembers,itoffersthis
fiancethechanceofjoiningtheChurch.
Hejoinspurelyasaformality,notoutoffaithorbelief.
TheChurchdoesnotprovidehimwithanyinstructionortest
hisfaith.Nordoesitholdanyceremonyforhimortellhim
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anyofthesecretsoftheChurch.Sohisbeingjoinedtothe
Orthodoxgirlisjustasuperficialoneonpaper!!
SomeChurchFathersarehappywiththeseformalities,butthen
aftermarriage,problemsoccur,withthehusbandperhaps
continuingtoholdfasttothebeliefsandsocialoccasionsofhis
formerdenomination.
Oneoftheresultsofthistypeofmarriageisthatitbringsforth
youngpeoplewithashakyfaith,orwhohavedepartedfrom
theirbelief.
[119]RelativesandTithes
Manypeopleaskme:Areweallowedtopayourtithestoour
closerelatives?AndIanswer:
Youarepermittedtopaytithestoyourrelativesifthey
areinneed,butdonotpaythemallofit.
YoumustpaysomethingtothembecausetheBiblesays,But
ifanyonedoesnotprovideforhisown,andespeciallyforthose
ofhishousehold,hehasdeniedthefaithandisworsethanan
unbeliever..(1Tim.5:8)SoIsayonlyiftheyareinneed,
whichdoesnotmeanspendingonluxuriesorinessentials.
Donotpaythemallyourtithesfortworeasons:
1)Incaseitisjustthefamilytiewhich

motivatesyouandnotaloveforthepoor.Onepresumes
thatyouhelpotherneedypeopletoo,apartfromyour
relatives,andalsoshareinprovidingfortheChurchsneeds.
2)Andincaseyouavoidgivingtithesonthe
pretextthatyouarefulfillingothersocialduties.
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ItisaswelltorememberthatinChristianityitisnotonlytithes
whicharedemandedofyou!
[120]AWorshipperGoesWrong!
Apersonwhoworshipsanotherpersonandfollowshimand
supportshiminrightorwrong,loseshisobjectivityandcan
onlyseebeforehimapersonwhoisfreefromallerror!This
courseofbehaviourismarkedbytwoerrors:
1)Hedefendssubjectswhichhehasnotstudiedbut
whichhehastodefendonlybecausetheyapplyto
hisLordmaster.
2)Heattackswithouthavinganybasisof
knowledge,butmerelytodefendhismaster.
[121]HeDoesntBenefit!
Therearepeoplewhobenefitfrombeingpunishedsinceitleads
themtorepentanceandregretandtocorrecttheirways...And
therearethosewhodonotbenefit.
Wehavealsocomeacrossexamplesofthosewhoare
punishedwhonotonlydotheynotbenefit,butinfactthe
oppositehappens,andtheysinmoreandmoredeeply...!
Someresorttogrumblingandcomplainingandprovoking
people,andothers,asawayofjustifyingthemselves,resortto
liesandclaimthattheyhavebeentreatedunjustly.
Othersindefendingthemselvesresorttoacounterattackby
spreadingblameandfalseaccusations,andinothers,
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punishmentrousesafeelingofhatredandobstinacy.Oddly
enoughsomeresorttothreats!
Noneofthesetypesbenefitsfrompunishmentbecausethey
lackhumilityandthedesiretosavetheirsouls.
Thustheyaredeflectedfromoneabysstoanother...Afewof
themreturnafteratime,seekingforgiveness,notbecausethey
haverepented,butbecausetheyhavefoundthatnoneofthese
methodswillachievethedesiredresult.
[122]ShouldITellHimOff?
Oneofhisbrothermonksoffendedhimverydeeplysothathe
cameandsaidtome:ShouldIgoandtellhimoff!
SoIsaidtohim,Ifhisconscienceisalivehewillcomeofhis
ownaccordtoapologisetoyou.Otherwisethereisnousein

tellinghimoff.Itwillprobablymakethisendupworse.
However,ifheisreallyignorantoftheseriousnessofwhathe
hasdone,itwouldbebetterforathirdpartytointercede
betweenyouinthismatter,toexplaintohimtheextentofhis
offence.
Whateverthecase,itisbetterforyoutowait,andwhoknows,
youmightbeluckyenoughtoforgethimandforgethis
offence!
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[123]TheHandofGod
Inalltheeventswhichwegothroughandallthedetailsofour
livesasindividualsandgroupswecannotforgetthehandof
Godinallthesethingsandinthelifeofeachindividual...
AfterHecreatedtheworld,Goddidnotleaveittoprogressas
itchanced,orletpeopledirectitaccordingtotheirwishes,
withouttheinterventionofdivineprovidence!!
Godisalmighty,andthefreedomwhichhehasgiventopeople
isnotabsolutefreedom,butafreedomcontrolledbydivine
arrangement.
TheeyeofGoddoesnotslumberorsleep,butwatchesover
everything,recordingitandcallingittoaccount...Itisthehand
ofGodinterveningineventswhichmakesushaveconfidence
thatHeisinterveningandarrangingeverything.
EvenifGodseemstobesilentattimesandmistakesoccur,
Heinterveneslatertocorrectandturnthebadintogood...
WhatisprayerbutacallforGodshandtointervene?
Andwhatisfaith,buttheconfidenceofGodshand
intervening?
BlessedisthehandofGod.Itisfulloflove...
[124]SaturdayandSunday
WhoeverpreparesonSaturday,findshehasaSunday.
Andwhoeverdoesnotprepareforhistomorrowfinds
nothingatallandnoonetoreturnafavour.
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[125]SurroundedOnlybyFollowers
Heonlyeversurroundedhimselfbyfollowersandadherents
whoagreedtoeverythinganddefendedwhateverhedid,
howeverwrong.Andhewashappywiththeirdefence.
Hehadabsolutelynodesiretosurroundhimselfwiththosewho
wereonhisownlevel,orabovehim,becausehisfollowers
excessivepraisehadmadehimimaginethattherewasnooneon
hislevelandthatitwasimpossibleforanyonetobehigherthan
he!
Thushelostfriendshipandsincereadvice,andlosthumilityof

heartandthoughts,andhismistakes,whichthoseoutsidehis
circlecouldsee,multiplied.Ashisfollowerscontinuedto
defendthemtheyincreasedfurther!
[126]TrueLove
Somepeopleimaginethattheirloveforapersonmeansthat
theywillprotectanddefendhimwhateverhehasdonewrong!
Buttrueloveistosavethatpersonfromhissinsevenifit
meansrebukinghimuntilheabandonsthem.
[127]RightTiming
Theelementofrighttimingisaveryimportantelementinevery
activity,andineverysuccessfulproject,ineverywordspoken
andineveryrequestmade.
Thereforeineverythingyouundertakedonotsimplyask,
Isthisactiongoodandbeneficial?,butaskaswell,Is
thistherighttimeforit?
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Thatisbecauseifitnottherighttimeforit,itwillnot
succeed,justlikeplantswhichifnotplantedattherighttime,
cannotflourish,howevergoodtheseedsandhoweverexpert
theirplanter.
Timingneedspatience,andthewisepersonispatientuntil
hecandotherightactionatthebesttime.
[128]HeWantstoGrumble
Sometimesapersoncomplainsabouthearingsomething,yethe
istheonewhoisstrainingtohearit,oratleastisencouraging
himselftolistentoit!
[129]TwoMeaningsoftheCross
Somepeoplelovethecrossforitsblessingsanditsstrength,
andforitsdoctrineoffaith...buttheydonotlovethecrossin
theirlives.BywhichImeanthattheydonotliketocarrytheir
cross...!
Thecrossisoutsidethem,notinsidethem!
TheyloveGolgothaforitsspiritofselfsacrifice,butwantto
avoiditspains!
[130]Force
Somepeopleresorttotheuseofforcetosolvetheirproblems
orcarryouttheirwishesorideas...
Butthereareotherwayswhichareworeeffectivethan
force.Thesecallforcalmnerves,however,andamindthat
thinksmorequicklythanthesoulreactsemotionally.
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Italsoneedsavigilantheartwhichputsthecommandmentsof
Godbeforeitineveryproblemandseesthatforceisanextreme

measure,orisunsuitabletobeusedatall.
Somepeopleconsiderthatthewordforceisdistasteful
andreplaceitwithanothersuchaspowerorboldnessor
thedefenceoftheTruthetc...
Butthewordforceisthemostreliabledescriptionof
force.
[131]TheMeaningofSimplicity
Manypeopleusethewordsimplicityfornaivetyand
shallownessofthought,andtheyconsidersimplesouled
peopletobenaivepeoplewithnounderstandingofanything,or
whohavenodepthofthoughtorabilitytomanage.
Butthiswayofthinkingisnotsound.SimplicityinChristianity
isawisesimplicity.Thereisnodifferencebetweenthis
simplicityandwisdom.TheLordsaid,bewiseand
harmless.(Matt.10:16)
Thissimplicityofinnocenceisnottheoppositeofwisdom
buttheoppositeofsophistication.
ChristiansimplicityisawisesimplicityandChristianwisdomis
innocentwisdomwhichmeansthatthereisnoattempttomake
thingscomplicatedandinvolved.Apersonmaybeextremely
intelligent,butevenso,maybeinnocent,bywhichwemean
thathedoesnotmakematterscomplicatedortricky.
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[132]AChild!
Theboywasinmypresencewithhismotherandsomeofthe
membersofhisfamily.Andhismotherpresentedhimtome,
sayingtohim:LetSayyidna
*
heartheOurFather.Saythe
Holy,Holy,Holyforhim.Singhimthehymnthatyouhave
learnedbyheart...
Butthechildlookedatmeandsaid,Doyouseemybeautiful
newshirt?Hesaiditsoinnocentlyandjoyfully,asthough
hehadnotheardwhathismotherhadsaidtohim.
Ilearnedfromthischildalessonindealingwithchildren.
Wheneverachildcomestome,Idontbeginbylisteningto
whathehasmemorised...Ijustpraise,firstofall,whateverin
hisappearanceorclothescanbepraised,perhapsfortheir
design,coloursorpatterns.AfterIhavemadehimhappyby
noticingallthesethingswhichdelighthim,thenwecanenter
thesubjectofreligioninaveryfriendlymanner.
*(LiterallyOurLord,atitleofrespectgiventoabishop)

[133]TwoServers
Thereweretwoserverseachofwhomfollowedacoursewhich
hewasconvincedwasrightforhim,butwhichwastheopposite

coursetothatofhisfellow.
Oneofthemsaid,ImustservewithintheChurch,inorderto
obtainitsblessingandtolegitimisemyservice.
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Butthesecondonesaid,IshallserveoutsidetheChurchin
ordertogivemyselffreedomofmovementandnotbeunder
anyonesauthority.
ThefirstwaswidelysuccessfulandtheChurchprovidedhim
withallitspowersandpossibilities,whilethesecondstayedas
hewas,aprivatesector,farawayfromtheChurch.His
freedomofmovementhadbroughthimnobenefitsincehehad
foundnofreedomoutsidetheChurch...
[134]CollectingExperiences
IfwewereabletocollecttheexperiencesofalltheFather
Priests,especiallytheeldersandthosewhohavebeen
successfulintheirministerialwork,wewouldhaveatreasure
storedforuseinpastoralwork...
ThesamegoesforourFatherBishops...
Ifonlytherecouldbeagroupthatspecialisedinthetaskof
gatheringthisinformation,andifonlytheFatherswouldwrite
toletusknowabouttheirpastoralexperiencesandtheideas
whichhaveprovedsuccessfulintheirlivesandaboutthe
obstacleswhichtheyhaveencounteredandhowtheyhave
surmountedthem,andgiveexamplesofGodsinterventionin
theministryandHisdirection...
WesaythisbecausemanyFathershavedepartedthisworldof
oursandtheirmanyexperienceshavebeenburiedwiththem,to
ourgreatloss.Howvaluabletheywouldbeifonlytheyhad
remained.Thefirststepoftheprojectistosetdownthenames
oftheFathersandthencontactthemandrecordtheir
experiences.
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[135]Everybody...andtheLoner
Thishappenedabouttwentyyearsago.Wewereliving
togetherinloveasalargegroup,butonebrokeawayfromus
andbegantobehostiletoeveryoneandprovokethemand
attackthem.Allhisconfidencewasbasedonhishavingformed
afriendshipwiththedirector.Sowhyshouldhecareaboutthe
membersofthegroupaslongastherewassomeonetosupport
him,evenifhefelloutwitheverybody?
Thenafterthat,hecommittedaverygreaterrorandthe
directorgavehimup,theonlyonewithwhomhehadany
connection...
Andhefoundhimselflostandaloneandthatnoonetrusted

him...
Torelyononepersonistoruntheriskoflosingallifthat
onepersonssupportislost.
[136]TheLaw:When?
Peopleresorttothelawwheneverthelovebetweenthemand
themutualconsentfails.
Manythingswhichthelawcannotsolve,love,personal
relationshipsandlovingunderstandingcansolve.Asthesaying
goes:
Ifthetwosidescometoamutualagreement,thejudge
cantakearest.
Thatiswhyyoushouldthinkwellbeforeresortingtothelaw.
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Askyourself:howfarcanthisissuebesolvedbylove,instead
ofresortingtothelaw?
[137]AnAnt
Thishappenedin1960,whenIwassittingatthedoorwayofmy
desertcell,inAlBahrAlFarigh.Isawanantclimbinga
moundofsand,whensuddenlythesandgavewaybeneathit
anditfell...
Andassoonasitfell,itdidnothesitateforasinglemoment
beforebeginningtoclimbonceagain.Andagainthesand
collapsedbeneathitanditclimbedupquicklywithoutletting
failurepushitintodespair.Itrepeatedthisinfrontofmea
greatmanytimesuntilitfinallyclimbedtothetop.
Iwasveryastonishedatthislittleant,andlearnedalessonfrom
it.Isaidtomyself,Ihaventyetreachedthelevelofthis
perseveringlittleant,norreacheditsdeterminationwhich
willnotadmittoanyfailure.
[138]TwoByTwo
Iamsurprisedatapersonwhohastwoscalesof
judgement:oneinwhichheweighstheactionsofothers,
andanotherinwhichheweighshisownactsandperhaps
thoseofhisfriendstoo.
Thetwoscalesarequitedifferent,somuchsothatoneact
mightbeconsideredawrong,accordingtooneofthescales,
whileaccordingtotheother,itisaright!!
Iamalsoamazedatsomeonewhohastwodifferentfaiths:
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Onewhichhedeclarespubliclyandanotherwhichhekeeps
secret,orwhichhementionsonlytohisownpersonalfriendsor
tothosetowhomherevealshissecrets,orwhereitisofno
consequence!

[139]TranslatingFaithfully
Ifyouaretranslatingfromaparticularwriter,authororSaint,
thenconveyhisviewsjustastheyareintheirentirety,and
faithfully.
Donottrytohidethosewordsofhiswhichdontplease
you,justpickingfromhiswordsonlywhatyouimagineto
heinyourowninterestsandpresentingitasifitwerehis
wholeview!!
Thisisnotconsistentwithafaithfultranslation...
Likewise,ifyoutranslatefromtheBibleitself,takeallthe
verseswhichareconnectedwiththesubject,anddonotinsert
orhideanyotherverseorverses,otherwiseyouwillbe
presentingyourownpersonalunderstandingandnottheBibles
instructionandyouwillnothavetranslatedfaithfully.
[140]ThePriestandthePeople
Ialwaysusedtosayconcerningpastoralaffairs:
Thepriestisforthepeopleandnotthepeopleforthepriest.
Justaswesaythattheshepherdismadeforthesheepandnotthe
sheepfortheshepherd.Thatiswhyitissaidaboutthepriestthathe
isaservant:aservantforthepeopleandservantfortheSacraments
forthesakeofthepeople.
Ifitwerenotforthepeoplewewouldnotappointapriest
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[141]ProblemsandCrying
Hecametomecryingbecauseofaproblemthathadbefallen
himandIsaidtohim:
Calmdownandletsthinkandpray.Problemsarentsolved
bycrying,butbypracticalsolutionswhichcanbeputinto
effect.
Cryingjustparalysesthemindanddoesnotgiveitachanceto
think.
[142]Apology
Sometimesapersonapologisesformistakeshehadmadeand
imaginesthatthematteristhendonewith,buthisapologyis
notacceptable.
Thisisbecausewhenheapologiseshisapologyistoo
meagreinrelationtotheoffencehehascommitted.
Thisglibsuperficialapologydoesnotsatisfytheheartofthe
onewhohasbeenhurt,andcannotcoveruptheprevious
mistakes.
Also,justapologisingisinsufficient.
Heoughttohelpdealwiththeconsequencesoftheerrors
hehasmadebymakingamendstotheonewhomhehas
wronged.

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[143]When?!andWhen?!
IhavenoticedwhiletravellingalongLifesroad,thatpeople
tendnottotalkveryoftenaboutvaluesandstandardsexcepton
occasionswhentheyaredirectlyconcernedthemselves..!
Forexample,whendopeopletalkaboutjustice?
Theytalkaboutjusticewhentheyarewronged.
Apersonhardlyeverspeaksoftheimportanceofjusticewhen
heisactingunjustly,becauseatthattimehewouldfindit
distressingtotalkofit.
Whendopeopletalkaboutmercy?Theytendtotalkaboutit
whentheyarecrushedbyothers.
Itisrareforsomeonetotalkaboutmercywhenheisinthe
positionofpower!
Butthenoblemindedmanistheonewhoremembersjustice
andmercy,notjustwhenheisinneedofthem,butwhenothers
needthem,evenifitisfromhim.
Timeisaconstantwhirl.Thingsdonotstaythesame.A
situationmaybereversedandthestrongbecomestheweakand
theharshoppressorbecomestheonecrushed.Itisthenthathe
recallsthispast.
Noblemindedandwiseisthepersonwhoinvestsinhis
futureoutoftherealityofhistoday,bydoinggoodtoday,
sothatthatgoodwillbewaitingforhimtomorrow.
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[144]ThePulpitoftheChurch
TheChurchpulpithasamissionwhichistoministerthe
Word:
Thewordoffaith,thewordoftheSpirit,thewordoflove,the
wordofcomfortandthewordofreconciliationbetweenGod
andthepeople,andtopreachthewordofGodtothepeople...
ItisnotpermittedtousetheChurchpulpitforanyother
purpose.
Itisnotanarenaforanypersonalgoalorforanyprivate
teachingorpropaganda.Itisnottheplacefordefending
oneselforforannouncingthenamesofothers,eithertogive
themfameorcriticism.Norisittheplacefortalkingabout
oneself.
Peopleattendchurchinordertohearspiritualwordswhich
builduptheirsouls.Iftheyseeadeparturefromthisspiritual
linetheywillstumbleinregardtotheirlifeintheChurchandin
regardtothosewhoservethere.
Thereforeitisnecessaryforallpreachersandallwhoare
appointedtothepriesthoodtoadheretothemissionofthe

Churchspulpit,andnotdepartfromitsspiritualgoalandits
spiritualcourse.
[145]UsedOnce
Therearethingswhichapersononlyneedstouseoncebefore
beingabletodispensewiththem.Sowhatpreventshimfrom
givingwhateveritistoothers,sothattheycanbenefitfromit?
Hehasnothingtolosebyit!
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Anexampleofthisissomestudybookswhichastudent
usesforoneyear...
Thesecouldbehandedinafterthepersonhaspassedtheexam,
tothesocialserviceslibraryattheChurch,tobedistributedto
needystudents.
Anotherexampleisaweddingdress,whichthebrideusesonly
once,onherweddingday,tohavehercommemorativepictures
takenin.Shenevereverwearsitagainafterthat.Sowhynot
handitintothesocialservicesofficesothatitcouldbeworn
bymanyotherbrideswhoareperhapsunabletoaffordanew
dress?
Andthereistheexampleofclotheswhichchildren,who
havenoyoungerbrothersandsisters,havegrownoutof.
Whatalotofthingsweposseswhichwedontuse,andwhich
othersareinurgentneedof!Ifwehangontothem,arentwe
hangingontosomethingwhichisnotrightlyoursandbeing
meanwithourpossessions?!
[146]EmotionalDecisions
Howeasyitistogobackonemotionaldecisionsmadeinones
spirituallife.Likewise,promisesandvowswhicharemadeon
thespurofthemoment,withoutthespeakerthinkingabout
whethertheycanbecarriedout.
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[147]TodayandTomorrow
Therearematterswhichcannotbejudgedtoday,butcanonly
bejudgedtomorrow.Fortodaysuchmattersmaybeboundup
withvariousfeelings,emotionsandconsiderations,which
tomorrowtheywillbequitefreeof,andbetterableto
remembertheTruthasitwas...
Thatiswhyhistoryisnotusuallywritteninitsown
lifetime.
Historiansusuallywriteitafteratime,whenscholarsattemptto
stripitofallinfluenceoftimeandplace,andinvestigateitsfacts
fromdifferentsourcesaccordingtotheirdifferentstandpoints.
Allthatistheworkoftomorrow...
HappyisthepersonwhomTomorrowbearswitnessfor

himandnotagainsthim,andwhomTomorrowholdsingood
regarduponwhichallwhoareuninfluencedbyplace,timeand
circumstancesagree.
Happyishewhoworksforhistomorrowfromnow
onwards,notjustforthesakeofhavingagoodreputationin
theeyesofthepeople,butprincipallyforthesakeofthe
judgementofhisconscienceandthejudgementofGod.
[148]Tribalism
Justasthemembersofatribeareproudoftheirtribeanddo
notrecogniseanygeneralmembershiptoanationalhomeland
whichembracesallthetribes,sosomepeopleintheChurchfall
intothesamemistake.WhetheritisourChurch,our
association,thebranchoftheChurchteachingwhichwe
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serve,ourcountry...itisjustmembershipseeninavery
narrowsphere.
TheritesoftheChurch,however,teachusintheHoly
Communiontoprayforthisworldfromitsfarthestshoresto
itsremotestlands
[149]APyramidShape
Ialwaysofferconsolationtothosewhosufferfromwearisome
problemsbysayingtothem:
Problemsalwayshaveapyramidshape.
Theyriseuptilltheyreachtheirpeak,thengodowninthe
otherdirection.
Thereisntaproblemwhichcontinuestoriseupandupfor
ever.EventhetrialoftherighteousJobhimselfreachedits
peakandthenended,anditwasthesamefortheupright
Joseph.
Alloftheirproblemswerelimitedtoatime,afterwhichthey
cametoanend.
[150]AftertheLoss
Manypeopledonotfeelthevalueofsomethinguntilafter
theyhavelostit!
Awifeclasheswithherhusbandanddisagreeswithhimand
doesnotfeelhisvalueuntilaftershehaslosthim,whethershe
loseshimemotionallyorbyseparation.
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Theschoolpupildoesnotfeelthevalueoftimeandits
importancetohisfutureuntiltheendoftheschoolyear,after
hehaslostit.
Thefriendwhoisnotfaithfultohisfriendloseshim,andonly
feelshisworthafterhehaslosthim.

Thesonwhoneglectstohonourhisparentsmistreatsthemand
onlyfeelstheirvalueafterhehaslostthem,whetheritis
throughtheirdeathorbylosingtheirapprovalorblessing...
Ingeneral,apersonisnotawareofthevalueoflifeandthe
importanceofeternityuntilafterhehaslostthatlifeand
eternitybothtogether...
JudasdidnotfeelthevalueofChristuntilafterhehadlosthim,
whenhelostallhopeandwentandhangedhimself.
Howniceitisifapersonwakesuptohimselfandperceivesthe
valueofhissituationbeforehelosesit,especiallysomething
whichcannotberetrievedonceithasbeenlost!!
[151]TheSeedandtheFruit
Throwtheseedontheground,butdontstandandwatch
ittillitbringsforthfruit!Tostandandwatchisnotgood
eitherforyourthinkingoryournerves.
Itwillbringforthfruitinitsowntime,evenforthosewhohave
forgottenthattheysowedsomeseedsonceuponatime,orwho
droppedtheseedinadvertently.
Therefore,also,dogoodandforgetitanddontbesadifyou
seethatithasnotbroughtforthfruit!
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Thefruitofgoodnesswillinevitablybegathered,either
hereorinthenextworld.Itisneverlost.
[152]RightandWrong
Intheministrywehavefrequentlymetaproblem,whichisthat:
RightisquietandWrongisnoisy.
Themajorityarequietwhileaminorityarerebelliousand
provoketheothers.Wehavetoreflectmuchandsearchtofind
outthetruthofvariousmattersandthewaytobehavewiselyin
eachone...
[153]ASubstitutePunishment
Sometimeswearepunishedforsinswhichwehavenot
committed.
Thatisbecauseothermistakeswhichwehavemade,wehave
notbeenpunishedfor!
Sonooneshouldsay,inthecaseofpunishment,thatan
injusticehasbefallenhim,forperhapsitmighthavebeena
substitutepunishment.
[154]TheLimitsofObedience
Obediencemustbeunderstoodwisely,forfirstandforemostit
isobediencetoGod,andafterthat:
Weobeythepeoplewithinthesphereofourobedienceto
God.
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103
If,however,thetwoobediencesclash,thenonemust,obey
Godratherthanmen.(Acts5:29)
ThustheApostlesays:Children,obeyyourparentsinthe
Lord.(Eph.6:1)
Howbeautifulisobedienceandsubmissionaslongasitis
intheLord.
Beobedientandsubmitinallthingstotheonewhohasthe
rightofsubmission.
Denyyourselfanddenyyourwillanddenyyourhonour.
Butdonotdenyyourheart...
[155]TooMuchExplaining
Ifamatterrequiresalotofexplanation,itislikelytobe
abstruseorunconvincing,forifitwereclearandpersuasive,it
wouldnotneedsuchexplanation...
Alengthyexplanationmightalsopointtoalack
ofconfidenceinyourlistenersintelligenceor
quicknessincomprehension,ormayrevealyourlackof
confidenceinwhatyouaresaying!
Thethingwhichconvincesisnotagreatamountofexplanation,
butthepoweroftheidea.
Toomuchexplanationmayinduceboredom,especiallyifyour
listenerhasalreadyunderstoodyourmeaning.Toomuch
explanationwasteshistimeandputspressureonhisnerves...
Thereforeitisbestthatyourwordsbebriefandpersuasive
andclearlyexpressedinbalancedphrases;nothingmore
andnothingless.
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[156]HeLivesOutsideHimself
Whydoyouliveoutsideyourself?Areyouconcernedwith
whatothersaredoingandwithyourjudgementsofthemand
youremotionalreactionstothemandtheeffectofallthison
yourspirituality?!
Asforyoursoul,thatislostinthemidstofyourjudgementsof
others:Youfindnotimeforyoursoul!Andifyouweretofind
timeforit,youwouldmakeyourselfaresolutiontokeepaway
frompeoplejustbecauseyouresenttheirbehaviourandare
annoyedbytheirways.Butitisnotlongbeforeyoureturn
afterawhiletoliveinthesameprison!
OntheDayofJudgement,Godwillcallyouonthesubjectof
yourownsoulfirstofall,beforeaskingyouaboutthesoulsof
others.Andeventhosewithwhomyouhavebeenso
preoccupied,whathaveyoudoneforthemwithyour
judgementsandcomments?
[157]TheImportanceoftheIndividual

Itsometimeshappenswhenthepastorisbusilyabsorbedin
variousaffairsoftheministry,thatheforgetstoministerto
someindividuals.
Theindividualloseshiswayinthemidstofthecrowdsof
peopleandfindshimselflost!
ButtheLordshowedusHisconcernfortheloneindividual
whenhelefttheninetynineandwentinsearchofthelost
sheep.(Luke15:4)
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OurLordJesusChristperformedmanyactsofministryto
individualsinthemidstofHisservicetothethousandsall
crowdingaroundHim.TherewasforexampleHisconcernfor
Zacchareus,Nicodemus,PeterandMaryMagdalenaandthe
Samaritanwoman...
[158]ServingtheVillage
Thevillageismoreinneedofministrythanthecity,andifwe
dontconcernourselveswithit,thepeoplethereareliabletobe
lost.
ServingthevillagedoesnotmeanthattheMassisheldthereby
apriestwhoisappointedtoconducttheservice,whopraysand
thenleavesstraightawayafterwards!
Thevillageneedspastoralcareandvisiting,solutionsforits
problems,listeningtoconfessions,regularandfrequent
meetingsandconstantministry,andthebindingofthepeopleto
theChurchandtoallthemeansofgrace.Becauseofthis,some
FatherBishopshaveundertakentoordainpriestsforservicein
thevillages.
Whathasbeensaidaboutthevillagescanalsobesaid
aboutthepoorinhabitantsoftheportsandbigcities,like
CairoandAlexandria.
[159]BaptismandHolyChrismintheMawalid
ThetermMawalid(Saintscelebrations)isthewrongtermto
givetotheSaintsdays.ThefestivalsoftheSaintsusuallysee
greatcrowds,withsomepeople,inthemidstofthiscrush,
vowingtohavetheirchildrenbaptisedontheSaintsday!
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Thentheycometouswornoutwithdoubtsaboutwhether
thebaptismortheanointingwithholychrismwas
performedproperly!
Theysaythatthebaptismwastooquick,theceremonynot
complete!Ortheysay,OurFatherbaptisedthechildbutdidnt
anointhimwiththeholychrism,orHeanointedhimbutdidnt
makethesignofthecrossthirtysixtimes.

Butabaptismthatisperformedinthemidstofthousands
ofchildren,andwhichraisesdoubtsabouttheceremony
beingperformedinfull,isnotaneasymatter,andonefor
concern...
Sowhyputyourselfinapositionofdoubt?!
TheadvicethatwegivetotheChurchFathersandthose
supervisingthefestivalsoftheSaints,istokeepacloseeyeon
therituals.Thepresenceofcrowdsisnotanexcusefor
mistakestobemade.TheFatherBishopcanassignalarger
numberofpriestsfortheoccasion,someofwhomcanbe
speciallyinchargeofthebaptism,whileotherscanadminister
theholychrism...
[160]GodinWork
IfGodentersintoapieceofwork,powerentersit,along
withblessingandsuccess...
ThereforedoyourutmosttoletGodintotheworkyoudoso
thatHecanshareitwithyouandworkwithyou...
BecarefulnottodoanythinginwhichGodisnot
participating;orthatyoufeelthatyouareworkingalone,
withoutthehandofGod.
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IsnotHetheonewhosays:WithoutMeyoucando
nothing?(John.15:5)
[161]Insistence!
Insistingisoftenannoyingtothelistener,justlikerepeated
talkingaboutaparticularideawhichhehasalreadyheard
beforeandgrasped.Thismakeshimnotwanttolistenfurther.
Repeatingthesamewordsinsistentlywearsouthisnerves,
annoyshimandmakeshimfedup.
Thusbyhisinsistencethespeakerloseshiscaseandloses
harmonywithhislisteners.Hegivesthesubjectagreater
quantityofwordsthanitdeserves...
Therefore,ifyourlistenerhasunderstoodwhatyouwanttosay
andyoufindthathehasbeguntogetirritatedbyyour
insistence,thenthereisnoneedtosaymore.
[162]APieceofAdvice
Acertainmanusedtohandmehisnotebookonnumerous
occasionsformetowriteawordofguidanceoradviceforhim.
YetalthoughhewouldbeveryhappyatwhatIhadwrittenfor
him,hewouldneverputitintopractice!
Atthebeginningoftheyearhepresentedmethesame
notebookformetowritesomeadviceforhimontheoccasion
oftheNewYear,soIwrotehimthisphrase:
TheonepieceofadvicewhichIwriteforyouatthe
beginningofthisnewyearistorereadwhatIhavewritten

foryoubeforeinthisnotebook.
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[163]GiveTimeaChance
Patiencesolvesmanyproblems,problemswhichthinking
mightbeincapableofsolving,yetwithtimetheycanbesolved
andbypatientlygivingGodanopportunitytointervenetosolve
them.
Youmightspeakwithsomeoneonaparticularsubjectandhe
doesnotagree.Donotbetoopersistent,though,because
pressinghimwillprobablyannoyhim.Butleavehimalittle
whileandhemaythinkagainonthesubjectandbeconvinced,
orcertaineventsmighthappenwhichmakehimfavouryour
view.Hemightalsoasktheadviceofotherswhomhetrusts
andtheymightbeofthesameopinionasyou...
Manymattersrequireaperiodoftimeoraperiodof
incubationinsidethemindsothattheygrowandmature.
Thosewholovespeed,however,maylosemanysituations
becauseoftheirhastymanner.
Evenmatterswhichonlyneedtheiragreement,alsorequirea
periodoftimeinwhichtheycanbestudied,considered,
examinedandadvicecanbesought.
TimeisalsoneededtoputthesemattersbeforeGodin
prayer,sothatHiswillinthemcanberevealed...
[164]SpecialTreatment
Thispersonalwaysinsistedonbeingtreatedinaspecialway.
If,forexample,thevisitwasforbiddenforthewholegroup,
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thenhewouldhavetohavespecialpermission,becausehewas
notliketheothers.Ifthemonasterywasclosedforaperiodof
seclusion,thenitcouldnotbeclosedtohim.
Althoughmarriageswerenotpermittedduringthegreatfast,
thenhewouldwantpermissionforhisownmarriage,believing
thathehadspecialextenuatingcircumstances.
[165]EncouragingandNotForcing
ThepeoplealllovedtheTruthandwereenthusiasticforit,
strivingtospreadit.Thisisunquestionablyrightand
imperative.
ApersonsworkistobearwitnesstotheTruthandnotat
alltoforcepeopletodogood.
EvenGodHimselfdoesnotforcepeopletodogood.He
createdhumanbeingswithfreewilltodogoodaccordingto
theirwill.Goddoesnotcompel.
Becauseofthis,thereareunbelieversintheworldwhom

Godhasnotforcedtobelieve,butHewilljudgethemon
theLastDay...
Therearealsointheworldthosewhosinandaredisobedient
andGodhasnotforcedthemtodoactsofrighteousness,but
HewillcallthemtoaccountontheDayofJudgement...
Andyou,withyourenthusiasmforGoodnessandTruth,your
workisonlytocallandpreachandwarn.Youdonothaveany
authoritytoforceanyoneelse.Youmustbearwitnesstothe
Truth,butdonotuseforcetocompelotherpeopletobe
devotedtoGod.
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Forcedoesnotproducesaintsandrighteouspeople,though
itcanbeasuitablemeansforteachingdisciplineand
correctmanners...
Thewaytocorrectthings,though,isbymakingthepeople
wanttodogood,andpersuadingthem,encouragingand
helpingthemtodoso.Itmeansstrengtheningtheirwilland
knowingtheobstacleswhichtheyarelikelytoencounteronthe
waytogoodness,andadvisingthemonhowtosurmountthem.
Thegoodnesswhichcomesasaresultofconvictionand
acceptanceismuchmoreenduring.
[166]WisdominTime
OnsomeoccasionsTimecanbetoyouradvantage.
Andonothersitcanbeagainstyou.
Itmightbeinyourinterestssometimestoslowdownsothat
youcanunderstandasituationwellandstudyitandseewhich
arethebestwaysoftacklingit.
Andatothertimes,takingthingsslowlymaybedisastrousfor
you,andmightmakeyouloseopportunitieswhichyouwillnot
belikelytomeetagain.
Takingthingsslowly,whensolvingaproblem,maymakeit
morecomplicated,sothatitbecomesmoredifficulttosolve
thanitwasatthebeginning.
Somebodyoncesang,inthewordsofthepoet:
Theonewhobideshistimemayseemoreclearlyhisneed,
whiletheonewhohurries,slips.
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Andoneofhislistenersrepliedwiththesaying:
Howoftenpeoplestardinesshasharmedthem,itwouldhave
beenbetterforthemiftheyhadhurried.
Beingslowandpatientisnotinitselfavirtue,neitherisspeed.
Butapersonmuststudyeverysituationindividuallyand
proceedwiselyinordertoseeinwhichmattersitismore

suitabletoactquicklyortakeonestime.
Totakethingsdeliberatelyslowlymaybebecauseoneis
beingpainstakinginmattersofdetail,butifthiscomes
afterthedeadline,aftertheopportunityhaspassed,itisof
nouse.
Sometimesspeed,ifitisseenasakindor
determinationtoact,ispreferablebecauseitatleastmeansthat
theerrorisnotspreadaroundsothatothersareguidedbyit.
Likeanillness,itisbetterifitistreatedquickly.
Thereisabigdifferencebetweenuprootinganewplantfrom
theground,whichcanbedoneeasily,andwaitingtillithas
turnedfromasmallplantintoahugetreewhoserootsdrive
deepintotheearthandwhichcannolongerbeuprootedeasily.
Nevertheless,thereareothertimeswhenspeedisharmful,
sinceitexposesthepersontotheriskofrashness,lackof
preparation,thoughtandstudyinthematter.
Italsomakeshimliabletomakemistakes.
Somepeoplemightfavourquicknessbecausetheyseeitasa
wayofattainingpriorityorobtainingaresult,anyresult!They
arenotconcernedwithpainstakingdetailandaccuracy!Others
favourquicknessbecausesuchistheirnature.Theylack
patience,abilitytoreflectandcalmness.Somepeoplebehavein
ahostilemanneroutoftheirconfidenceinthemselvesand
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theirpersonalability,andtheirfeelingthattheydonotneed
timeforfurtherstudy.
Generallyspeaking,though,wemustdifferentiatebetween
actingquicklyandactinghastily.
[167]Passivity
Somepeopleimaginethatpassivityisspirituality,becausethey
arenotdoinganyactwhichwouldexposethemtoerror,nor
aretheyclashingwiththosewhodowrong.Infactthey
imaginethattheyretainotherpeopleslove,thoughthe
oppositeistrue.
Butpassivityinitselfisafault.
TheBiblesays:tohimwhoknowstodogoodanddoesnot
do[it],tohimitissin.(James.4:17)
Perhapsthethingswhichinvitepassivityareselfloveandlack
ofconcernforothersandthegeneralgood...Itissurprising
howsomepeoplemightbehaveinapassivemanner,butthenat
thesametime,getangryandannoyedwhentheirfriendsadopt
asimilarpassiveattitudetowardsthem!
Inpositiveactionthereisadignity,maturityofbehaviourand
loveforthegood,whichhasitsownreward...
[168]

CoveringThingsUporSolvingThem
Facinguptoissues,mistakesandeventshonestlyisthesafe
waytoresolvethem.Justcoveringthingsupisnotasolution.
Itmayprovideatemporaryrespite,butitdoesnotdealwith
themandthesicknessremainsasdestructiveasever.
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Coveringupinvolvesdeception,andmostofthesecover
upsarebroughttolighteventually.Theydonotstandup
toreality.Facingthefactsisbetter,morehonestand
productive...
Tofaceuptothingsdemandssinceritywithoneselfandothers
requirescourage,becausecoveringupisakindofescape.
Coveringthingsupdoesnotleadtopurity,nortosolutions.
BeforeGodallisrevealed.
[169]BooksandNotebooks
Atthebeginningofeveryschoolyear,ourchildrenneed
notebooksandscientifictextbooks,whichmightbeexpensive
forsomepeople.
Oneoftheparentsputforwardthispracticalidea,however:
Theolderstudentswhohavesuccessfullypassedthrougha
particularclassatschool,andwhohavenofurtherneedofthe
booksandtextbooksrequiredforthatstage,coulddonate
whatevertheynolongerneedtotheChurchlibrary.Orthey
couldtakeinreturnforthem,thebooksforthefollowingstage,
whichtheircolleagues,whohavegonebeforethem,haveleft
behind,ortheChurchcouldpaythematokenprice.
TheChurchcouldopenastudylibraryforreference,orgivethe
bookstothestudentstostudyintheirownhomesona
temporaryorpermanentloan.
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[170]ForgivenessandTrust
Hesaidtome:Ihaveforgivenhimforhisdisloyaltytome
afterIhadleftallmysecretsinhishands.Iforgavehimbecause
oftheLordscommandmentandbecausewehadbeentogether
asserversintheChurchforalongtime,but...
ThenwhenIaskedhim,Butwhat...?,heanswered,witha
profoundgaze,
Forgivenessisonethingandtrustsomethingelse...
IhaveforgivenhimbutInolongertrusthim,becauseofhis
disloyalty.Inolongertellhimmysecrets.Idontleavemy
officeopenforhimanymore.Isimplydonthaveconfidencein
himanylonger.

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